Chinese 5 Spice 70g

Recipes & Uses

Chinese Five Spice Recipe

 Chinese Five-Spice Pork Belly

 Signature Recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs (1kg) pork belly (skin on)

• 1 tbsp ground star anise (key spice)

• 2 tbsp five-spice powder

• 1/2 cup soy sauce

• 1/2 cup brown sugar

• 1/4 cup Shaoxing wine

• 3 garlic cloves (smashed)

• 1-inch ginger (sliced)

Key Steps:

1. Score skin: Diamond pattern → blanch 5 mins (tightens skin)

2. Marinate: Rub with ground star anise + five-spice (overnight)

3. Braised: Simmer with liquid ingredients 2 hours

4. Crisp: Broil 5 mins → baste with reduced sauce

Pro Tip:

• For extra gloss, brush with honey-water mix before broiling

 Why Ground Star Anise Rules Here:

1. Texture: No gritty pod fragments in the glaze

2. Efficiency: 1 tsp ground = 3 whole pods’ flavor

3. Science: Anethole compound caramelizes better when ground

Serving Ritual:
Pair with steamed bao buns + pickled vegetables

 Other Top Ground Star Anise Recipes:

1. Pumpkin Pie Spice Blend (star anise + cinnamon + clove)

2. BBQ Dry Rub (for ribs/chicken)

3. Why Choose Chinese 5 Spice?

   Five powerful spices already balanced for you
   No need to separately measure star anise, cloves, cinnamon, Sichuan pepper and fennel every time you cook.

   Instantly recognisable flavour
   A small amount can completely change the direction of a dish.

   Made for roast meats and marinades
   It works particularly well with pork, duck and chicken.

   Excellent in slow-cooked dishes
   Its warm spices have time to mellow and develop in braises, stews and stocks.

   Not limited to savoury food
   A tiny amount can work surprisingly well with fruit, chocolate and baking.

   ---

   What Does Chinese 5 Spice Taste Like?

   Chinese Five Spice is warm, sweet, aromatic, savoury and slightly peppery, with several distinct flavours working together.

   Star anise brings the characteristic sweet liquorice-like aroma.

   Cloves contribute deep, pungent warmth.

   Chinese cinnamon adds sweet spice.

   Fennel brings another layer of gentle anise-like flavour.

   Sichuan pepper adds citrusy character and its distinctive tingling sensation.

   No single spice is meant to dominate.

   The appeal comes from the contrast and balance between all five.

   ---

   How to Use Chinese 5 Spice

   Chinese-Style Roast Pork

   Mix Chinese 5 Spice with:

   Soy sauce
   Honey
   Hoisin sauce
   Garlic
   Ginger

   Use as a marinade or glaze for pork before roasting.

   The sweet and savoury ingredients work particularly well with the warm spices.

   Pork Belly

   Rub a small amount over pork belly along with salt before roasting or braising.

   Its bold flavour can stand up beautifully to rich pork.

   Roast Duck

   Chinese Five Spice is traditionally associated with duck because its warm aromatics complement the richness of the meat.

   Use sparingly as part of a dry rub or marinade.

   Chicken

   Combine with soy sauce, garlic, ginger and a little honey for an easy roast or grilled chicken marinade.

   Beef Braises

   Add a small amount to slow-cooked beef, broth or braising liquid for aromatic depth.

   Tofu & Vegetables

   Use it with tofu, mushrooms, pumpkin or stir-fried vegetables when you want the flavour without meat.

   ---

   One Blend Instead of Five Separate Spices

   Making your own Chinese Five Spice traditionally means combining:

   Star anise
   Cloves
   Chinese cinnamon
   Sichuan pepper
   Fennel

   All five have strong personalities.

   Getting the proportions right matters.

   SpicenEasy Chinese 5 Spice gives you the balance already done.

   Five spices. One blend. One easy measure.

   You still choose the meat, vegetables, sauce and cooking method.

   We've simply made the spice part easier.

   ---

   Start Small — This Blend Is Powerful

   Chinese Five Spice is concentrated.

   This isn't usually a seasoning you want to pour onto food by the tablespoon.

   For many dishes, start with around ¼ to ½ teaspoon, particularly if you're new to the blend.

   Taste or assess the marinade before adding more.

   Too little is easy to correct.

   Too much can quickly dominate the other flavours.

   ---

   Try It This Way

   For a simple Chinese-style chicken marinade, combine:

   Soy sauce
   Honey
   Garlic
   Ginger
   A small amount of Chinese 5 Spice

   Coat chicken thighs and allow them to marinate before roasting or grilling.

   The honey caramelises, the soy brings savouriness and the Five Spice gives the chicken its distinctive aromatic character.

   Serve with rice and vegetables.

   ---

   Why It Works So Well with Rich Meats

   Five Spice contains several aromatic ingredients with sweet and warming qualities.

   That makes it especially useful with richer foods such as:

   Pork belly
   Duck
   Roast pork
   Beef

   The spice can stand up to the richness rather than disappearing underneath it.

   At the same time, its sweeter notes pair naturally with glazes containing honey, brown sugar or hoisin.

   ---

   Beyond Roast Pork

   Once you've opened the pack, try Chinese 5 Spice in:

   • Roast duck
   • Pork belly
   • Char siu-style pork
   • Roast chicken
   • Chicken wings
   • Beef braises
   • Stir-fries
   • Tofu
   • Mushrooms
   • Roast pumpkin
   • Noodles
   • Fried rice
   • Spiced nuts
   • Poached pears
   • Apple desserts
   • Chocolate desserts
   • Marinades and glazes

   Chinese Five Spice is one of those blends where a very small amount can make familiar ingredients taste completely different.

   ---

   Storage

   Store Chinese 5 Spice in an airtight container in a cool, dark and dry place to help preserve the aroma of its ground spices.

4. Chai Concentrate (steeped in milk)