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Homemade 5 Spice Powder For Adding Authentic
Chinese Flavours to Your Asian Cooking

For the fans of homemade Chinese food, then making your own 5 spice is an absolute must! And with only five spices, this traditional mix is super-easy to-make, and in just minutes you'll be adding the authentic flavours  and aromas of China and Asia to your favourite dishes: stir fry and noodle dishes, numerous soups plus pork, chicken, beef and shrimp recipes to name just a few. (See the bottom of the page for links to more of my recipes)

What You'll Need: (makes about 5 tablespoons)

1 tbsp fennel seed
4 tsp peppercorns
5-6 star anise
1 tsp whole cloves
3 inch piece of cinnamon

tbsp = tablespoon
tsp = teaspoon

Directions:

• Break up the cinnamon and star anise into smallish pieces

• Finely grind these pieces along with the fennel, peppercorns and cloves

• Sieve into a bowl

That's all there is to it!

Store your Chinese five spice powder in an airtight jar out of direct sunlight and in a cool place. Use within 3 months

Note: I recommend you toast the fennel, peppercorns and cloves, plus the cinnamon and anise pieces, prior to cooling and grinding.

This greatly intensifies the flavours and aromas. Click here for photos and tips on toasting and grinding. (Link opens in new window)

Ingredient Note: If you can, use whole ingredients for this 5 spice and grind them yourself as these will add more flavours and aromas. If you haven't got them all, you can use pre-ground powders instead. If you do, reduce the amounts the recipe requires by half. For example, 4 teaspoons of peppercorns equals 2 teaspoons of pre-ground pepper. Reduce any other ingredients you don't have whole by half as well and stir in with any other powders when making. Click here for a version of this recipe that just uses pre-ground ingredients.

After Making Your Chinese 5 Spice You May Like to Try...

Shichimi Togarashi - The
Flavourful Japanese
Seven Spice

Old Bay Seasoning -
If Fish, Shrimp,
Lobster etc Are
on the Menu

Garam Masala Range - 
For Authentic Indian 
Home Cooking

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