This article provides an overview of five spice powder, what it tastes like, its availability, alternative names, and of course what other ingredients make five spice powder substitutes.
What is Five Spice Powder?
Five spice powder is a popular spice mixture that originated in Chinese cuisine. Nowadays, it is also common in Hawaiian and Vietnamese cuisine, where is it used to marinate meats or as a spice condiment.
The most common mix includes star anise, cloves, Chinese cinnamon, Sichuan pepper, and fennel seeds.
What does Five Spice Powder taste like?
Five spice powder uses a mix of sweet, savory, bitter, salty, and sour, in reference to the 5 traditional Chinese elements. There are distinct licorice-like flavors from the star anise, as well as sweet and warm flavors from the cinnamon and fennel.
Is Five Spice Powder readily available in Supermarkets?
Five spice powder should be readily available in supermarkets and Asian markets, where it is usually found in the herbs and spices section.
What are some alternative names for Five Spice Powder?
Five spice powder is often referred to as Chinese 5 spice, they are the same thing.
What is a good substitute for Five Spice Powder in recipes?
Luckily, there are a number of great substitutes for five-spice powder. These include:
- A combination of star anise and garam masala works best
- If you have all the ingredients on hand, you can easily make your own version or five spice powder (star anise, cloves, Chinese cinnamon, Sichuan pepper, and fennel seeds)