The Chinese 5 Spice blend is a combination of cinnamon, cloves, fennel seed, star anise and Sichuan peppercorns. It is used in many dishes and has been known to be a stimulant.

The Chinese believe that this blend stimulates the heart, improves circulation, helps digestion and provides warm energy. The blend is available in powder and whole form.

There are many ways to use this spice blend. Many people use it for meat or fish marinades and in stir-fries with vegetables. It can also be used for soups and stews as well as desserts and beverages. A popular beverage made with Chinese 5 Spice is Hot Cinnamon Spice Tea. When brewed hot, the spices are said to open the pores which enables the body to better absorb the curative properties of the tea which include detoxifying the liver and improving circulation.{mospagebreak}

Chinese 5 Spice is a very tasty and special blend of Chinese herbs. From ancient times, in China, it has been used to flavor and season food. Chinese 5 Spice plays an important role in Chinese cuisine because it adds a distinct flavor that cannot be duplicated by any other seasoning. Chinese 5 Spice can be used to enhance the taste of any meat or vegetable dish, as well as many other foods.

Chinese 5 Spice is also very therapeutic and beneficial for certain ailments. The combination of herbs in Chinese 5 Spice makes it a potent natural supplement with many uses.

The five spices are star anise, clove, cinnamon, ginger root and Sichuan pepper. Most supermarkets carry a few of these ingredients but not all. The five spices have many uses in Chinese cooking, such as chicken with cashews, pork in garlic sauce, red cooked pork belly and many more delicious dishes. You can purchase these spices in Asian grocery stores in the dried form or as ready to use ground spice mixes.

Description:

Chinese 5 spice is an ancient blend of unrelated herbs and spices brought to China during trade caravans across Asia. A popular theory is that it came from India where it was used for medicinal purposes. This blend of spices has been used around the world in different forms according to local tastes and preferences. In China this blend is used primarily for seasoning food (especially meats) but also for medicinal purposes and even as incense. It is believed to improve blood circulation and act as a natural anti-depressant.

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Chinese 5 spice is a blend of five spices include cinnamon, cloves, fennel, star anise and Sichuan peppercorns. Chinese five spice powder is one of the main ingredients in many Chinese recipes, especially meat dishes.

The five spices are all aromatic and warming to the body and have been used for centuries for their therapeutic properties. The fact that they have been used by Chinese herbalists for thousands of years and are still used today speaks volumes about the healing proprties of these ingredients.

Chinese five spice is one of the easiest and best ways to get an array of beneficial herbs into your diet each day. This blend includes cinnamon, cloves, star aniseed, ginger and fennel. Each herb has its own medicinal properties.

It is also easy to make at home. The recipe below makes enough for approximately 2 months but the ingredients keep indefinitely so you can make up a batch and store it for future use.

Chinese Five Spice Recipe

Ingredients:

2 teaspoons cinnamon powder

1 teaspoon fennel seeds (aniseed)

1 teaspoon whole cloves or 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

2 teaspoons ground star aniseed (or 1/2 teaspoon whole star aniseed)

1/4 teaspoons powdered ginger or 1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger root

Chinese five spice powder consists of five dried spices: cinnamon, cloves, fennel seed, star anise, and Szechuan peppercorns.

The formula for Chinese five spice is ancient but its exact origins are subject to debate. According to the book Chinese Herbs and Natural Supplements by Dr. Alan R Goldhamer, it was originally developed as a medication for various ailments including poor digestion, gas and bloating, excessive menstrual bleeding, and sinus congestion.

When used in cooking, Chinese five spice may be added to sweet and savory dishes for additional flavor. It can be used in marinades for poultry or pork. Popular recipes include a spice rub for roasted duck and honey-glazed ham as well as a Chinese barbecue sauce and a chicken broth flavored with bay leaves. Many people add it to vegetables such as carrots or squash while they are boiling in water. It can also be used to flavor desserts such as fruit compote or stewed pears with ginger and wine.

Chinese five spice is sometimes known as “seven spices” because the number seven is considered lucky in China. It’s also known as San Chiao powder because the name translates into “three flavors” which refers to the spicy, sweet, and salty taste produced

The Chinese five spice powder is a mixture of the five basic flavors in Chinese cooking, those being: spicy, sour, bitter, sweet and salty.

The base of the Chinese five spice powder is mainly composed of cinnamon, cloves and fennel seeds. These three spices are considered as the essential ones for this Chinese blend. Added to these are anise seeds and Sichuan pepper.

Spices used:

Cinnamon – The bark is obtained from the cinnamon tree. It has a distinct flavor and aroma that goes well with such food items as meat and poultry. Cinnamon also aids in digestion to some extent.

Coriander seeds – The dried fruit of cilantro plant is used to prepare coriander seeds. They have a distinct aroma and taste that goes well with dishes cooked with coconut milk and with fish or seafood. Coriander seeds are also useful in relieving flatulence.

Tumeric – This spice is obtained from the rhizome of Curcuma longa plant which belongs to ginger family. The rhizomes are dried and ground into a powder known as tumeric. It has a distinct color like saffron (the spice) but does not impart any flavor to food items cooked in it. It helps in reducing body heat