Five-spice powder (Wu xiang fen)
(Five-spice powder, Wǔxiāng fěn, 五香粉, Wuxiang fen)
Wu xiang fen or five-spice powder is a traditional spice blend originating from China. The spice blend consists of five spices: fennel seeds, cinnamon, cloves, Sichuan peppercorns, and star anise. The number five refers to the five flavors that are represented in the blend – sweet, salty, bitter, sour, and umami.
There are many ways to use the aromatic five-spice powder – in marinades, stir-fries, soups, stews, as a seasoning for the breading for fried foods, as a glaze, or a dry rub for meat and seafood. Interestingly, the spice blend has antiseptic properties and it's sometimes used to cure indigestion.
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