What is Chinese Five Spice Powder?
Chinese five spice powder is a spice mixture, typically made from fennel, cloves, Szechuan peppercorns, star anise, and cinnamon, although in some regions ginger is used instead of fennel. The five spice blend combines the five primary flavors of Chinese cuisine: sweet, sour, pungent, bitter, and salty. It is widely used in Chinese restaurants and sometimes set out on tables to be used as a food seasoning, much like ground pepper or salt. It is relatively easy to make five spice powder, and the blend can be used in an assortment of cuisines, not just Chinese food.
