published Dec 25, 2023 Chinese five spice is a blend like no other. It has a complex yet harmonious profile with sweet, savory, and aromatic overtones. That’s not all, though! Woven throughout this blend, you’ll also find each of the 5 culinary flavors represented. Sweet, sour, bitter, salty, and umami all show up in varying degrees. This balanced combination of tastes makes this Chinese five spice recipe incredibly versatile. You’ll find it no surprise that five spice powder is a must-have pantry staple in both Chinese and Taiwanese kitchens. You can find premade Chinese five spice at your local Asian market, but you’ll get way more bang for your buck crafting your own blend. The flavor will be far fresher, and you’ll end up with a nice amount to store. Plus, there is something so empowering about stocking your own pantry from scratch. To try your hand at more spice blends, check out this Szechuan Seasoning, Lebanese 7 Spice, or go ahead and check out my full collection of Spice Blends.
Recommended Tools
Small saute pan Coffee or spice grinder
Storing and Reheating
Store your Chinese 5 spice in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. To maintain the best quality, I recommend storing it in a sealed glass jar, preferably opaque, and keeping the jar out of direct sunlight. Avoid stashing it in the refrigerator where moisture can cause the blend to clump. For the best flavor and potency, try to use your Chinese five spice recipe within a month. It is still perfectly safe to enjoy after that, but will start to decline in quality. Luckily, you can whip up a new batch in no time! This recipe post, originally published on Silk Road Recipes July 30, 2020 was updated with new content, photos and/or video in December 2023. Love this recipe? Share it with the world on Pinterest.
