Chinese 5 Spice Powder - Add the Superb
Taste of China & Asia to Your Home Cooking

Pungent, bitter, salty, sweet and sour, these are the flavours you'll find in every 5 spice powder. Traditionally these five are fennel, peppercorns, star anise, cloves and cinnamon in differing quantities depending on what dish you're preparing but may also include various other ingredients, cardamom and ginger for example. This recipe uses the basic five ingredients and can be made in just minutes.

What You'll Need: (makes 5-6 tablespoons)

4 star anise
2 tbsp peppercorns
4 tsp fennel seed
1 tsp cloves
3 inch piece of cinnamon

tbsp = tablespoon
tsp = teaspoon

Directions:

Break up the cinnamon stick and star anise

Grind the cinnamon and star anise pieces to a fine powder along with the fennel, cloves and peppercorns

Store your Chinese five spice in an airtight jar out of direct sunlight. Use within 3 months.

Note: You could dry toast the ingredients for a few minutes before cooling and grinding. The heat really draws out the flavours and is highly recommended. Click here for info and photos on this process. (Link opens in new window)