Spices tend to lose their fragrance quickly once ground. That's why I like to make my own blend of spices, including this fragrant Chinese Five Spice Powder.
Toast the 3 pods star anise, 20 whole cloves, 1 cinnamon stick, 1 tablespoon Sichuan pepper, 1 teaspoon fennel seeds, ½ teaspoon cumin seeds and ½ teaspoon white peppercorns together, either in a hot pan or in a toaster oven, being careful not to burn them. You'll know they're done when they start giving off a wonderful aroma.
3 pods star anise, 20 whole cloves, 1 cinnamon stick, 1 tablespoon Sichuan pepper, 1 teaspoon fennel seeds, ½ teaspoon cumin seeds, ½ teaspoon white peppercorns
Put the toasted spices in a grinder, coffee grinder, blender, or a food processor and blitz until it's ground into a fine powder.
Pass it through a fine mesh sieve to remove any big pieces and store in an airtight container until you're ready to use it.