Chinese Five-Spice Powder: Warm, Sweet-Savory Balance in a Pinch
Classic blend—star anise, cloves, Chinese cinnamon (cassia), Sichuan pepper, and fennel—bringing sweet, warm, and tingling depth to dishes.
What Is Five-Spice?
Chinese Five-Spice Powder is a **fragrant blend** traditionally made from **star anise, cloves, Chinese cinnamon (cassia), Sichuan peppercorns, and fennel seeds**. It balances the five flavor notes—**sweet, sour, bitter, salty, and pungent**—for a rounded profile.
Nutrition (per 1 tsp, ~2 g)
- **Calories:** ~6–8 kcal
- **Carbohydrates:** ~1–1.5 g (mostly fiber/trace sugars)
- **Fat/Protein:** <0.5 g each
- **Sodium:** 0 mg (homemade/pure blends)
- Contains **polyphenols** and aromatic oils (eugenol, anethole, cinnamaldehyde).
Potential Benefits
- **Antioxidant & anti-inflammatory compounds** from spices (e.g., eugenol, cinnamaldehyde).
- **Flavor boost** can help **reduce added salt and sugar** in recipes.
- **Fennel & spices** may support **digestion** and comfort after meals.
- Versatile: works with **meat, tofu, vegetables, and baking**.
Possible Drawbacks
- **Potent**—a little goes a long way; overuse can overpower dishes.
- **Sichuan pepper’s tingling** may be unfamiliar to some.
- Some **store-bought blends** may include **added salt or fillers**—check labels.
- Spicy/aromatic blends can **irritate reflux-prone** individuals.
Culinary Uses
- Rub for **roast pork/duck**, **char siu**, or grilled tofu.
- Season **stir-fries, braises, soups, and marinades**.
- Great in **baking** (spice cookies, quick breads) and **cocktail syrups**.
- Pairs with **soy sauce, citrus (orange), garlic, ginger, honey**.
Summary
Five-Spice delivers a warm, sweet-savory complexity that elevates savory dishes and desserts—use sparingly for best balance.
- 1. Chinese Five-Spice Powder
Chinese Five-Spice Powder: klasična kineska mješavina začina – najčešće zvjezdasti anis, klinčić, kineski cimet (kasija), sečuanski biber i komorač; toplog, slatko-začinskog i blago citrusno-trpko-umami profila.