What Spices Are in Chinese 5 Spice Powder?
Chinese 5 spice is a combination of star anise, fennel seeds, cassia, Szechwan pepper and cloves. White pepper and ground ginger can be added for additional flavor. The amounts of each spice vary, but a standard recipe calls for 1 ½ tbsp. star anise, 2 ½ tsp. fennel seeds, 1 ½ tsp. cassia, ½ tsp. Szechwan pepper and ½ tsp. cloves. It is best suited to greasy meat dishes, in which it is simmered for long periods of time. Does this Spark an idea?
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Star Anise
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Star anise is the key ingredient to Chinese 5 spice. It is native to China and Vietnam. It is found on small Oriental trees in the shape of a five- to ten-point star. In each arm are pods of seeds that are brown and very hard. Star anise is picked before it is ripe, then dried. They are sold whole or in powder form. The taste is distinctly anise, but more intense; use sparingly.
Fennel Seeds
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Fennel seeds are native to southern Europe and the Mediterranean region. Fennel is both an herb and a spice. Although similar to anise, the flavor of fennel is far less pungent and smells more pleasant. The seeds are much smaller than that of anise.
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Cassia
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Cassia bark is also called Chinese cinnamon, but is much more concentrated and not at all sweet. The buds look like cloves. In the Western world, cassia and cinnamon are used interchangeably but, in Chinese cooking, cassia is used for main dishes and cinnamon is used for sweet dishes. It is native to China, Burma, Vietnam and Laos.
Szechwan Pepper
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As its name implies, Szechwan pepper is native to the Szechwan province in China. It does not belong to the pepper family but is a dried berry. The spice is made from the empty husks of the seeds. In Japan, the leaves are pickled. Szechwan pepper has a citrus-like aroma.
Cloves
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Cloves are native to Indonesia. The spice is obtained from the flower buds of the clove tree. They are dried and sold whole or ground; the flavor is stronger with whole cloves, but both forms require very little for cooking. Many people dislike the hassle of grinding them because they require an electric grinder for good results.
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