Ask a Food Blogger: Chinese Five Spice

by Valorie Delp | More from this Blogger

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

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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.

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