Ask a Food Blogger: Chinese Five Spice

by Valorie Delp | More from this Blogger

22 Feb 2008 03:10 PM

Question: Can you tell me what Chinese five spice is? What type of dishes would you use it in and where do you get it?

What Is It?

Chinese five spice is a spice that as you may have guessed, is used in Chinese cooking. It's used in a variety of dishes although what it's used for varies from place to place. In Hawaii, some restaurants even have it on the table as a seasoning condiment. The thought behind Chinese Five Spice is to "bring balance to food" by blending together all of the tastes in Chinese cooking: Tung Hing cinnamon, powdered cassia buds, powdered star anise and anise seed, ginger root, and ground cloves. Another recipe for the powder consists of Sichuan pepper, bajiao (star anise), rougui (cassia), cloves, and fennel seeds. I suppose if you were really well stocked, you could make some on your own, however, I think just buying it as the need arises would be much easier and much less expensive.

Where Do You Get It?

While you might be able to find it in the Asian food aisle or in the spices aisle at your grocery store, I looked in several stores in my area grocery stores and had no such luck. However, I found several different types of blends in Chinatown. If Chinatown is not on your list of day trips, I suggest ordering it from Penzey's spices.

What Do You Use it For?

As I mentioned above, it's used in Chinese cooking. The easiest way to incorporate it is to simply use it as your seasoning for stir fry or for whatever meat you're cooking. However, after searching, I discovered several tempting recipes that call for Chinese Five Spice:

Chinese Style Barbecue Pork

Honey Sweetened Grilled Shrimp

Tropical Barbecue Ribs

Are you subscribed to the Families.com Food Blog? With the click of a button, you can receive an email notification anytime a new blog is posted in the Families.com Food Blog! Just look to the right of this blog and find the subscription center (it looks just like this picture). Click on "Subscribe via Email". You'll be instantly subscribed and the email address that you registered at Families.com with will receive an instant notification whenever we post a new Food Blog! Don't miss a thing - subscribe now!

Learn more about Valorie Delp

Hello everybody! My name is Valorie and I am one busy lady! When I'm not writing or editing for families, I am busy trying to get my brood of 5 in line.

View Full Profile | More from this Blogger

Catherine Ipcizade (5617) 24 Feb 2008 12:19 PM

Hi! Where I live, in So. California, Chinese Five Spice is available in the regular grocery store. It can be strong, so remember that a little goes a long way. I use it in my Tortilla rolls with peanut dip. Use flour tortillas for the rolls. Fill them with cooked, shedded chicken, shredded carrots, chopped peanuts, bean sprouts and Chinese Five Spice. Roll like taquitos and bake. Dip in a sauce mixed with smooth peanut butter, sesame oil, sesame seeds, hot sauce, Chinese Five Spice, vegetable oil, and a touch of water to thin it out. Yum.

Catherine Ipcizade (5617) 24 Feb 2008 12:19 PM

PS. Cut the baked rolls into 3 pieces per roll

Valorie Delp (49340) 24 Feb 2008 01:15 PM

Hi Catherine! That sounds great! Our super markets cater to mostly Latino tastes. . .unless you're in a slightly more international neighborhood I guess. Thanks for the tip!