What can be used instead of five-spice powder

Five-spice powder is a very common condiment on the Chinese table. It is a mixture of many spices and has a special aroma. Many ordinary dishes can have a different taste after adding passion spice powder, which is unforgettable. Especially for Sichuan cuisine, the addition of five-spice powder is indispensable. When you lack five-spice powder when cooking, what seasonings can replace it?

1. What can be used instead of five-spice powder?

Star anise powder, chicken essence, pepper powder and thirteen spices can all be used as substitutes. But if you are looking for a unique scent, there is no substitute. The special aroma of five-spice powder cannot be replaced by other seasonings. You can use thirteen spices + cinnamon powder + nutmeg powder (a little) + clove powder (a little) instead of five-spice powder, but the medicinal smell will be very strong, so it is recommended to use five-spice powder.

2. Basic ingredients of five-spice powder

Five-spice powder is a spicy condiment in Chinese cooking. Its name comes from the Chinese culture's requirement for a balance between the five flavors of sour, sweet, bitter, spicy and salty. The basic ingredients of five-spice powder are ground pepper, cinnamon, star anise, cloves, and cumin seeds. Some recipes also contain dried turmeric, cardamom, licorice, pepper, tangerine peel, etc. to replace spices that are less available locally. In the south, cinnamon and orange peel are commonly used instead of cloves and cinnamon. Different recipes also have different proportions of various spices.

3 Uses of five-spice powder

It is mainly used in stewed meat or poultry dishes, added to marinades to enhance flavor or mix with stuffing, or mixed with salt as a dipping sauce for Chinese fried foods.

4. The difference between five-spice powder and thirteen spices

Both five-spice powder and thirteen-spice powder have the characteristics of long-lasting fragrance, but the latter has a stronger flavor than the former. The production methods of five-spice powder and thirteen-spice powder are exactly the same. The biggest difference between the two is the spices. Five-spice powder requires more than five spices, while thirteen-spice powder requires more than thirteen spices. The five basic spices for making five-spice powder are cinnamon, tangerine peel, dried ginger, peppercorns, and aniseed, in addition to which some auxiliary spices are added. Thirteen Spices is made from five-spice powder with many more spices added, and its aroma is richer and more complex than five-spice powder.