Five Spice – the elemental spice blend

Datassential. | Dec 21, 2020 This Chinese spice blend, now used in much of East Asia and Southeast Asia, represents the five elements in Chinese culture of earth, wood, fire, metal and water as well as the five flavors of sour, bitter, sweet, salty and pungent. It’s traditionally made of fennel seed, cloves, cinnamon, star anise and Sichuan peppercorns, but other spices can be added, too, including ginger, nutmeg, turmeric, cardamom, galangal, mandarin orange zest and anise. The spice blend can be used in a variety of ways, including seasoning braised meat, flavoring stews or glazing vegetables. It’s now also being used in cocktails. It’s a warming combination that is somewhat like a more complex version of pumpkin spice.