If you don’t know what dish to surprise your family with, try Chinese cuisine with the addition of 5-spice seasoning.

Under the simple name “5 spices” lies one of the most famous seasonings of Chinese cuisine, which, however, not only found use in its homeland, but also spread throughout the world.
Unlike another famous spice mixture, garam masala, which, despite its fame and phenomenal aroma, never made it beyond Indian cuisine, Chinese 5 spices are also used in other, completely non-Chinese dishes. Let's try to figure out what these 5 spices are, and at the same time understand the reason for their popularity. 10 simple recipes for dinners in 15 minutes Enter your email and get a recipe book - instantly and for free![/td]

Chinese cuisine, in addition to the fact that it is completely different from any of the European ones, including ours, has centuries-old roots. One of the rules of this cuisine, which comes from ancient times, is maintaining the right balance of flavors. There are five basic tastes in Chinese cuisine - sweet, sour, bitter, hot and salty - and the mixture of 5 spices represents their complete balance and harmony. This mixture is also known to advanced cooks as “wuxianmian” or “wuxianfen,” which literally translates to “five-spice powder.”

However, despite the clear designation, there is no single recipe for five spice powder; different cooks prepare it in different ways for different purposes. It comes to the point that 5 spices can contain both 6 and 7 ingredients, but this does not bother the Chinese at all. However, let's look at the most common option, which with some stretch can be called canonical. It includes:

Description of seasoning "5 spices"

5 spice seasoning is a popular Chinese spice mixture.
It has become widespread not only in the Middle Kingdom, but also in many other countries, including Russia. In China, the basic tastes in cooking are sweet, sour, bitter, spicy and salty. This mixture of spices combined all of the listed characteristics very harmoniously due to its composition.

Star anise

This spice is the dried fruit of the star anise plant, which is also sometimes called star anise. Perhaps this is the most beautiful spice, if not in general, then definitely on this list: the fruits of star anise have the shape of a regular six- or eight-pointed star, in the “rays” of which the seeds are hidden. The aroma of star anise is also absolutely impossible to confuse with anything else - it is a powerful, spicy, sweetish spice, the very smell of which excites the blood and evokes thoughts of distant countries. In Asia, soups, sauces and marinades are prepared with the addition of star anise, primarily for meat, because in most cases it is too strong a seasoning for fish. It is not surprising that star anise is also included in the 5 spices.

Use in cooking

The Chinese five-spice mixture is considered universal. In the Middle Kingdom, it is used in almost any dish, from soups to desserts. Below is a small part of what can be prepared with this mixture.

What dishes are they added to?

First meal:

• cold eggplant soup;
• lagman;
• mushroom soup;
• pork liver soup with tomatoes;
• cheese soup with smoked sausages.

Second courses

• pork with tangerines and chili sauce;
• beef in five spice sauce;
• baked duck;
• duck breast noodles;
• spaghetti with green beans.

Snacks:

• tacos;
• nachos;
• tuna and plum kebabs;
• pancakes;
• sweet and sour zucchini appetizer.

Expert commentary

Daria Sakharovskaya

Founder and owner of the House of Spices and Herbs "World of Spices".

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“Although the mixture is called “Five Spice,” there is no clear recipe for its preparation. Cooks prepare it in different ways for different culinary purposes. Sometimes the components may not even contain 5 ingredients, but 6-7. However, this does not bother the Chinese at all.”

How many grams

Below is the calorie content of the seasoning, the ratio of proteins/fat/carbohydrates in it.

Culinary recipes

Peking chicken

This dish is very popular both in China and abroad. Any Chinese restaurant will definitely have “Peking chicken” on the menu. It is essentially poultry cooked in a sweet and sour sauce. It’s quite easy to prepare it at home; it’s important to maintain a balance of sweet, sour and spicy.

What you will need:

• Chicken fillet – 0.5 kg.
• Tomato paste, rice vinegar 2 tbsp. spoons.
• Canned pineapple – 80-120 gr.
• Vegetable oil, starch - 2 tbsp. spoons.
• Wuxiangmian seasoning.
• Ginger, garlic, sugar.
• Soy sauce.
• Bell pepper – 150 gr.

How to cook:

1. Wash the bell pepper and cut into large pieces. You can use different colors.
2. Grind the ginger and garlic, it is best to do this in a blender, but you can also use a grater.
3. Cut the canned pineapple into small pieces.
4. Place garlic, bell pepper and ginger in a saucepan and fry in vegetable oil. You can use both sunflower and olive oil.
5. Add tomato paste, soy sauce, sugar, water and wuxiangmian seasoning to the saucepan. Taste, if something is missing - sour, spicy or sweet, then add the necessary ingredients.
6. Chicken fillet is cut into small pieces and rolled in starch.
7. Then fry in a frying pan over high heat until a crust appears.
8. Then the fillet is placed in a saucepan and simmered until the sauce thickens, as a rule, this takes 10-15 minutes.

Peking chicken is ready. It is usually served along with rice.

A skilled cook cooks chicken faster than rice.

Chinese flatbreads

Flatbreads are prepared in all cuisines, with or without fillings. The Chinese have especially succeeded in this. Below is a recipe for making Chinese meat cakes.

What you will need:

For the test:

1. A glass of warm water.
2. Flour – 350-450 gr.

For filling the flatbreads:

• Ground meat. Meat is best, but beef can be used.
• A bunch of green onions.
• Wuxiangman seasoning.
• Garlic – several cloves.
• Soy sauce – 2-3 tbsp. spoons.
• Olive oil – 2 tbsp. spoons.
• Vodka – 2 tbsp. spoons.
• Butter.

How to cook:

1. Knead the dough; it should be elastic. While the filling is being prepared, it is better to cover it with cling film.
2. Grate the garlic and ginger; you can use a blender for this.
3. Finely chop the onion with a knife.
4. Add all ingredients to the minced meat and mix thoroughly.
5. Divide the dough and minced meat into equal parts.
6. Then roll out a piece of dough on the table, cover it with 2/3 of the minced meat, and carefully fold it into an envelope.
7. Fry the flatbread in a frying pan on each side for 3-5 minutes.

You can serve the flatbreads with or without sauce; as a rule, cut them into 4 pieces.

Chef's Tips

Daria Sakharovskaya

Founder and owner of the House of Spices and Herbs "World of Spices".

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Question to the expert

How to replace Chinese cinnamon in a cooking recipe?

Cinnamon of another variety, for example, Indian. They are interchangeable.

What can you substitute for Szechuan pepper?

Despite its name, this spice is not related to hot, black or allspice. Sichuan pepper is the name given to the shells of the fruits of the prickly ash tree. It has a burning taste, creates a pleasant chill that makes your lips numb. A completely identical replacement cannot be found. If you still cannot purchase it, you can add black or white pepper to prepare the mixture. However, they will not completely replicate the taste.

How much spices should I mix?

Usually they are added in the same quantity, only cinnamon is added twice as much.

Cinnamon

Moreover, cinnamon is not simple, but Chinese - the bark of the evergreen tree Cinnamomum cassia. Nowadays it is most often sold under the name “cinnamon,” but you may also come across the bark of its close relative, Ceylon cinnamon. From an authenticity point of view, it is better to use Chinese cinnamon, but if you only have Ceylon cinnamon (or, as is also likely, the origin of the spice is not stated in sufficient detail on the packaging), take what you have: they are to a certain extent interchangeable.

How to choose

If you prepare the seasoning yourself, then it is recommended to buy all the ingredients exclusively in whole form. They retain their taste and aroma better while they sit on the store counter.

The ready-made mixture is difficult to find in regular stores. Only if in those that specialize in Chinese goods. The product must have a sufficient shelf life, complete vacuum packaging.

Combination with other seasonings

Anise

Galangal

Ginger

Cardamom

Turmeric

Licorice (licorice)

Nutmeg

Citrus zest

5 spice seasoning: composition

Star anise

Carnation

Cinnamon

Sichuan pepper

Fennel

As mentioned earlier, the Five Spice seasoning may have a different composition. Above is a classic recipe. Cooks may also add other ingredients that complement the base ingredients (listed in the previous section).

Beneficial features

Chinese seasoning wuxianmian is not only an aromatic and tasty addition to dishes, but also has a positive effect on the body and digestive processes. Its benefits are due to the individual ingredients included in the composition.

Star anise. Thanks to anethole, a substance from the group of phenols, it gives an aniseed taste and aroma.

Anethole is used in expectorants. It has carminative and antiseptic properties. Recommended for increasing lactation for nursing mothers.

Shikimic acid is obtained from star anise, which is used in the antiviral drug Tamiflu. In traditional Chinese medicine, anise is considered a warming herb.

Carnation. It owes its characteristic smell and taste to a substance called eugenol (from the same group of phenols as anethole). It has antiseptic, antibacterial, anesthetic properties. Helps with colds and sore throat.

Chinese cinnamon (cassia). A close relative of Ceylon and Saigon cinnamon. All types of cinnamon are bark. Compared to others, it has a more delicate taste. Contains coumarin.

In Chinese medicine it is used to treat asthma or lymphedema.

Sichuan pepper. In fact, it has nothing to do with pepper. The fruit of a tree called zanthoxylium (yellowwood), belonging to the Rutaceae.

Only the shell (pericarp) is added to the seasoning. Known as Chinese coriander. It got its name from the province of Sichuan, where it is most often included in the seasoning.

It has a spicy (less than chili or black) and slightly lemony taste. After chewing, an astringent feeling and slight numbness of the tongue remain. Strengthens the secretion of digestive juices. Used as a disinfectant.

Fennel seeds. Very aromatic and give a characteristic anise flavor. Contains natural antioxidants such as kaempferol and quercetin. Essential oil components improve digestion.

Additionally, sources:

• Minerals: iron, calcium, copper, potassium, selenium, magnesium, zinc and manganese;
• Vitamins A, E, C and B.

In medicine it is used as a remedy for indigestion. Included in antitussive drugs. Added to herbal teas for newborns to prevent colic.

Ginger. Fresh ginger has the most flavor. The ground version is added to the seasoning. The intense aroma combined with a hint of freshness is due to the presence of the essential oil component zingiberene.

Has medicinal properties. Used for digestive disorders. Relieves nausea, reduces pain during menstruation. Improves blood circulation. A common component of warming ointments.

5 Spice is suitable for people who:

• They love oriental aromas and Chinese cuisine;
• They often catch colds;
• Want to improve the functioning of the digestive system;
• Facilitate the digestion of difficult-to-digest foods;
• Suffer from asthma and other respiratory diseases;
• They want to maintain youth and health.