Chinese Five-Spice Seasoning

Chinese five spice is a traditional Chinese spice blend used in many Chinese and Sichuan dishes. It is a bold and flavorful mixture that accentuates spicy food. From a historical perspective, Chinese Five-Spice Powder is based on the five elements: fire, water, wood, earth, and metal. Each has a property: salty, spicy, sour, sweet, and bitter. According to traditional Chinese medicine, the five elements manifest in different parts of the body, and when there are imbalances in these elements, illness can result. For thousands of years, herbs and spices have been used to restore balance in the body, and that is why Chinese five-spice powder came to be.

1. Using a preheated pan on high heat, add the whole spices (star anise, fennel, cloves, peppercorns, and cinnamon sticks) and toast them for 3-4 min until fragrant.

2. Add the toasted cinnamon to a spice grinder or mortar with pistol. Grind to yield 1 tablespoon of cinnamon powder. Place in separate bowl.

3. Add the remaining whole spices to a spice grinder (or mortar with pistol) and grind until it all comes to a fine powder.

4. Mix the freshly ground spices together.

5. Store in a small airtight container at room temperature.