How to Make Chinese Five Spice

Chinese five spice, a common ingredient in oriental cooking, is made with equal combinations of five unique spices that mimic sweet, sour, bitter, salty and pungent. While Chinese five spice can be expensive to purchase, you can make your own at home that will not only be fresher but also less pricey. The ingredients for Chinese five spice can be found, in some form, at most local grocery stores.

Things You'll Need

• Heavy skillet
• Measuring spoons
• 1 Tbsp. Szechuan peppercorns
• 1 Tbsp. cloves
• Spice grinder
• 5 small bowls
• 1 Tbsp. star anise
• 1 Tbsp. fennel seeds
• 1 Tbsp. cinnamon
• Small jar with tight fitting lid

Instructions

1. Heat a dry, heavy skillet over medium high heat. Pour in 1 Tbsp. Szechuan peppercorns and toast until you can smell the pepper. This will take approximately three minutes. Remove from the heat and allow to cool.

2. Measure 1 Tbsp. cloves into a spice grinder and pulverize until finely ground. Empty the ground cloves into a small bowl.

3. Repeat the grinding process with the remaining ingredients, grinding 1 Tbsp. of each spice and placing the ground spice into a bowl.

4. Combine the contents of the five small bowls into a small glass jar. Tighten the lid on the jar and shake the spices until thoroughly blended.

5. Store the Chinese five spice powder in a dark cupboard or cabinet.

Tips & Warnings

• This recipe can be doubled, tripled or cut in half if desired.

• If you cannot locate Szechuan peppercorns, you can substitute traditional peppercorns for the recipe.

• If you cannot find any whole spices, substitute ground versions. Use the same amounts called for in the recipe.

References

• Better Cuisine: Five Spice Powder