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Five-spice powder

Spices & seasonings · Spice blends

Five-spice powder

Chinese blend of star anise, Sichuan pepper, cinnamon, cloves and fennel for roast meats and braises.

Also called: chinese five spice, wuxiang fen

A kind of spices

6 recipes with it

Read the full spice guide: flavour, history and how to use it

Make it yourself: Chinese five-spice powder

Photo: Tim Sackton, via Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-SA-2.0)

What it is

Five-spice powder is a Chinese blend usually of star anise, Sichuan peppercorns, Chinese cinnamon (cassia), cloves and fennel seeds, though some versions include ginger or liquorice root. It is sweet, aromatic and anise-led, used in small amounts because it is strong.

How it’s used

  • Char siu and roast duck
  • Red-braised pork
  • Marinades and dry rubs
  • Taiwanese fried chicken

Characteristics

Taste
Sweet, anise-led, warm, slightly numbing.
Sold as
ground
Cooking uses
Mainly a seasoning

Storage

Cool, dry and dark. Airtight jar away from light.

Diet, allergens and safety

No major allergens in typical versions.

  • Vegetarian
  • Vegan
  • Dairy-free
  • Egg-free
  • Gluten-free
  • Nut-free
  • Soy-free
  • Caffeine-free

Substitutes

Optional — what works if you don’t have it, and how it changes the dish.

  • Ground star anise and cinnamon — Equal parts with a pinch of cloves and pepper.

Related ingredients

Recipes with five-spice powder

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