Chinese Five Spice, Ground, 50g

Chinese Five Spice, Ground, 50g

Chinese five spice is a traditional spice blend commonly used in Chinese and other Asian cuisines. Despite its name, the blend doesn’t necessarily contain five spices, but rather a combination of key ingredients that provide a balance of sweet, sour, bitter, salty and pungent flavours.

Flavour Profile:

• Taste: A harmonious blend of sweet, spicy, and slightly bitter notes with aromatic warmth.
• Aroma: Sweet, slightly floral, with a warm, spicy undertone.
• Heat: The Szechuan peppercorns can add a slight tingling or numbing sensation on the tongue, rather than outright heat.

Common Uses for Chinese Five Spice

1. Seasoning Savoury Dishes:

• Meats and Poultry: Often used as a rub or marinade for pork, duck, chicken, and beef. It's a classic seasoning for Peking duck, char siu (Chinese BBQ pork), or slow-cooked pork belly.
• Stir-fries and Noodles: Adds a unique depth of flavour to stir-fries, especially when combined with soy sauce, garlic, and ginger.
• Stews and Soups: Perfect for flavouring braised or slow-cooked dishes like red-braised pork, hot pots, and soup broths.
• Tofu and Vegetables: Works well in vegan or vegetarian dishes, such as spiced tofu or stir-fried vegetables.

2. Baking and Sweets:

• Baked Goods: Chinese five spice can be incorporated into baked items like cakes, muffins, or cookies, often paired with ingredients like pumpkin, apple, or chocolate for a sweet and spicy contrast.
• Desserts: Used in desserts like mooncakes or sweet dumplings, where the spice can balance out the sweetness of fillings such as red bean paste or lotus seed.

3. Sauces and Marinades:

• Soy Sauce Marinades: Combined with soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and a touch of sugar, Chinese five spice is perfect for marinating meats and tofu.
• BBQ Sauces: Adds complexity to sauces and glazes for grilled or roasted meats, like char siu sauce or other Chinese BBQ sauces.
• Dipping Sauces: Often found in dipping sauces for dumplings or spring rolls, where it enhances the savoury and aromatic flavours.

4. Rice and Grain Dishes:

• Fried Rice: Adds a distinct flavour to fried rice or other grain-based dishes.
• Rice Pilaf: Used to season rice pilaf or sticky rice dishes for an aromatic touch.

5. Pickling:

• Pickled Vegetables: Adds a fragrant note to pickled vegetables, such as pickled ginger or cucumbers.

Health Benefits of Chinese Five Spice:

1. Anti-inflammatory: The combination of ingredients like cloves, ginger, and cinnamon can help reduce inflammation and pain.
2. Digestive Aid: Ginger and cinnamon are known for their ability to support digestion and soothe digestive discomfort.
3. Rich in Antioxidants: Cloves and cinnamon are high in antioxidants, which may help protect cells from damage.
4. Supports Circulation: The warming properties of the spices can stimulate circulation and help keep the body warm in cooler weather.

Ingredients:

Coriander, Cinnamon, Fennel, Ginger, Cloves, Dill Seed, Star Aniseed and Aniseed Green.