Go Back
A mound of Chinese Five Spice Powder
Print

Chinese Five Spice Powder

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.
Course Basics
Cuisine Chinese
Level Beginner
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes

Ingredients

  • 3 pods star anise
  • 20 whole cloves
  • 1 cinnamon stick (crumbled)
  • 1 tablespoon Sichuan pepper (husks only, remove any black seeds)
  • 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
  • ½ teaspoon cumin seeds
  • ½ teaspoon white peppercorns

Instructions

  • 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.
    Coriander, cumin and white pepper ground into a powder in a spice grinder.
  • 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.
    A mound of Chinese Five Spice Powder