Chinese Five-Spice

Five spice powder is one of the essential base seasonings for much of Chinese cooking. A little of this pungent mix goes a long way, giving dishes a balanced hit of sweet, savory, bitter, and sour.

The traditional spices that go into this mix are star anise, Szechuan peppercorns, fennel, cassia, and clove. Cassia is a relative of cinnamon and slightly more bitter. Combined together, these spices create a balance of flavors, heats, and mouth sensations meant to enhance the qualities in the dish without overwhelming it.