5 from 102 votes
Easy Chinese 5 Spice Powder Recipe
This mixture of ground star anise, Sichuan peppercorns, cassia cinnamon, fennel seeds, and cloves creates a fragrant Chinese 5 Spice Powder used in various dishes to add warm, aromatic notes. Dry frying the spices before grinding releases their essential oils, resulting in a balanced and flavorful blend.
Prep Time
1 min
Cook Time
13 mins
Servings:
1
Half Cup
Calories:
30 kcal
Course:
Side Dish
Cuisine:
Asian, Chinese, Malaysian, Singaporean
Ingredients
- 4 star anise Look for broken pieces as it makes the pounding easier
- 1.5 teaspoon Sichuan peppercorn Substitute: white peppcorns
- 1 cassia cinnamon about 1-2g) Substitute: Ceylon cinnamon, Chinese cinnamon; 'casssia stick' misspelling
- 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
- ½ teaspoon cloves
Instructions
- Over low-medium heat, dry fry the spices in a pan till their fragrance is released.
- Blitz the spices in a coffee or spice grinder. If you don't have one, you can also pound them by hand in a mortar and pestle. (This took me 9 minutes 52 seconds so it's not too time consuming.)
- Sieve the powder to remove any bigger bits
- Store in an airtight container in a cool, dark place till you want to use it.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Do not use a regular blender as it may damage the appliance and produce uneven powder.
- Experiment with added spices like ginger, nutmeg, or dried tangerine peel for variations.
- Store the powder in a cool, dark place in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
- This recipe makes a traditional blend but some variations include more than five spices.
Nutrition Information
Calories
30kcal
(2%)
Carbohydrates
6g
(2%)
Protein
1g
(2%)
Fat
1g
(2%)
Saturated Fat
0.1g
(1%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
0.2g
(1%)
Monounsaturated Fat
1g
(5%)
Sodium
4mg
(0%)
Potassium
112mg
(2%)
Fiber
3g
(12%)
Sugar
0.1g
(0%)
Vitamin A
26IU
(1%)
Vitamin C
1mg
(1%)
Calcium
88mg
(9%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 1 Half Cup
Amount Per Serving
Calories 30
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 30kcal | 2% |
| Carbohydrates | 6g | 2% |
| Protein | 1g | 2% |
| Fat | 1g | 2% |
| Saturated Fat | 0.1g | 1% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.2g | 1% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Sodium | 4mg | 0% |
| Potassium | 112mg | 2% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 0.1g | 0% |
| Vitamin A | 26IU | 1% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 88mg | 9% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.