Chinese Five Spice Powder Recipe

You won't want to be without this
essential ingredient

for Chinese Cookery

Like all spice mixes they can vary enormously depending on brand.  Chinese Five Spice is no different. You would expect that with 5 spices they would all carry the same flavour.  Well no in a word.  The quantities of each spice added can vary and in some cases so do the actual spices.  There are variations using more than just 5 spices!!!!

Store bought spice powders lose flavour quickly and doesn't guarantee quality ingredients have been used. Not to mention that you can often be paying for more than you need and they get lost at the back of the larder.

To ensure your spices powders/mixes are of the highest quality and fresh as can be.  Toast and grind your own, can't get better than homemade anyway can we?

Chinese Five Spice Powder

2 Whole star anise

2 tsps Szechuan peppercorns

1 tsp Cloves

1 tsp Fennel seeds

1 Cinnamon stick (broken into pieces)

In a dry pan over medium heat, toast all the ingredients above. Shake the pan occasionally to prevent burning.

Remove from heat and allow to cool.

Once cooled transfer to an electric spice grinder and grind to a fine powder. Or you could make the effort to grind in a pestle & mortar!!!!

Store in an airtight container..

NOTE: Recipe makes approx 1/4 cup.  Simply make more when required to ensure freshness.