Spice 101

Chinese Five Spice 101

December is the season of entertaining — but it’s also the season of 5 p.m. darkness, wool socks, and flannel jammies. Our Chinese Five Spice blend covers all your bases: great for savory and sweet, for party platters or cozy rice porridge (for one, on the couch), and it smells like every winter holiday rolled into one. Chinese Five Spice is an iconic blend from Chinese cuisine, with a flavor and a history that reaches back over a thousand years. This blend was originally created to balance the forces of Yin and Yang and the Five Elements inside the body, but despite its roots in traditional healing it is now used widely for its delicious flavor alone. Want to hear a spicy little secret? Our Chinese Five Spice actually has SIX spices — Fennel Seed, Star Anise, Cloves, Indonesian Cinnamon, Vietnamese Black Peppercorn, and Szechuan Pepper. Tips + Tricks Add a teaspoon or two of Chinese Five Spice and a splash of soy sauce to your pan for deeply flavorful fried rice. Swap Chinese Five Spice in for the spices in your favorite molasses cookie recipe. Stir a pinch of Chinese Five Spice into hot cocoa. Yes, really — it’s magic.   Try It, You'll Like It Some of our favorite ways to put Chinese Five Spice to work. Long Life Noodle Soup Spice Get the recipe. Apple-Carrot Pie Get the recipe. Havanese Pork Loin Get the recipe.