Homemade Chinese five-spice powder

Mary-Linh Tran

Junior Food Editor at Kitchen Stories

“Five-spice is a common spice blend found in Chinese, Taiwanese, and Vietnamese cuisine. Based on the five Chinese elements (fire, water, wood, earth, and metal) the blend typically comprises five spices that encompass the five basic tastes: sweet, salty, sour, bitter, and umami. It’s a super aromatic and warming combination that works well in stocks, roasts, and braises, but can also liven up your cakes, cookies, and other sweet snacks. Other variations of it may also contain ground ginger, galangal, nutmeg, licorice, or Mandarin orange peel, so feel free to mix and match according to your tastes.”