Admin: [CFWK] replace oversized image with web-sized version under 12.5MP limit

2026-09-21T09:53:18Z

[CFWK] replace oversized image with web-sized version under 12.5MP limit

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:53, 21 September 2026
Line 17:		Line 17:
	'''Five Spice Powder''' (simplified Chinese: 五香粉; traditional Chinese: 五香粉; pinyin: ''wǔxiāng fěn'') is a mixed spice blend used widely in Chinese cooking. Despite the name, commercial blends may contain five or more spices. The mixture is aromatic rather than chili-hot: it balances sweet, warm, and lightly numbing notes used in braises, marinades, and roasted or fried foods.<ref name="wp">[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Five-spice_powder English Wikipedia: Five-spice powder]</ref>		'''Five Spice Powder''' (simplified Chinese: 五香粉; traditional Chinese: 五香粉; pinyin: ''wǔxiāng fěn'') is a mixed spice blend used widely in Chinese cooking. Despite the name, commercial blends may contain five or more spices. The mixture is aromatic rather than chili-hot: it balances sweet, warm, and lightly numbing notes used in braises, marinades, and roasted or fried foods.<ref name="wp">[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Five-spice_powder English Wikipedia: Five-spice powder]</ref>

	[[File:Five spices detailed.jpg\|thumb\|upright=1.2\|Five-spice blend with common constituent spices (Sichuan peppercorn, cloves, cinnamon, fennel seeds, star anise)]]		[[File:Five spices detailed web.jpg\|thumb\|upright=1.2\|Five-spice blend with common constituent spices (Sichuan peppercorn, cloves, cinnamon, fennel seeds, star anise)]]

	== Common ingredients ==		== Common ingredients ==

Admin: [CFWK] Create Five Spice Powder (五香粉) article with Commons images and references

2026-09-21T09:39:17Z

[CFWK] Create Five Spice Powder (五香粉) article with Commons images and references

New page

{{#seo:
|title=Five Spice Powder (五香粉) - Chinese Food Wiki
|description=Chinese five-spice powder (wuxiang fen): common ingredients, culinary uses, and related seasonings.
}}
{{Infobox chinese food
|image=Five spice powder.jpg
|caption=A commercial jar of Chinese five-spice powder
|alternate_name=五香粉 / wǔxiāng fěn
|pinyin=wǔxiāng fěn
|country=China
|region=Used nationwide (and in diaspora Chinese cooking)
|course=Seasoning
|type=Spice blend
|other=Often star anise, cloves, Chinese cinnamon, Sichuan pepper, fennel seed
}}

'''Five Spice Powder''' (simplified Chinese: 五香粉; traditional Chinese: 五香粉; pinyin: ''wǔxiāng fěn'') is a mixed spice blend used widely in Chinese cooking. Despite the name, commercial blends may contain five or more spices. The mixture is aromatic rather than chili-hot: it balances sweet, warm, and lightly numbing notes used in braises, marinades, and roasted or fried foods.<ref name="wp">[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Five-spice_powder English Wikipedia: Five-spice powder]</ref>

[[File:Five spices detailed.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|Five-spice blend with common constituent spices (Sichuan peppercorn, cloves, cinnamon, fennel seeds, star anise)]]

== Common ingredients ==

A frequently cited classic set is:

* Star anise (八角)
* Cloves (丁香)
* Chinese cinnamon / cassia (肉桂)
* Sichuan pepper (花椒)
* Fennel seeds (花椒之外的茴香籽 / 小茴香)

Regional and brand recipes vary. Some mixes add licorice root, dried ginger, sand ginger, or white pepper. A related, less common blend with more spices is sometimes sold as '''thirteen-spice powder''' (十三香).<ref name="wp" />

== Culinary uses ==

Five-spice powder is typically used sparingly:

* Dry rubs and marinades for pork, duck, chicken, or tofu
* Seasoning for red-braised (红烧) dishes and stews
* Flavoring for fried snacks, roasted nuts, and some cold dishes
* Occasional use in bakery or sweet–savory fusion recipes outside China

It pairs with soy sauce, sugar, Shaoxing wine, and ginger/garlic aromatics. Because the blend is concentrated, cooks usually start with a small amount and adjust.

== Related seasonings ==

* [[Doubanjiang]] and [[Pixian Doubanjiang]] — fermented chili-bean pastes that supply savory heat rather than warm spice perfume
* [[Hot Pot Sauce]] — compound seasoning for communal hot pot
* [[Lao Gan Ma]] — chili crisp / oil-based condiments
* [[Types Of Taste]] — overview of basic and compound Chinese flavors

== See also ==

* [[Doubanjiang]]
* [[Pixian Doubanjiang]]
* [[Hot Pot Sauce]]
* [[Lao Gan Ma]]
* [[Types Of Taste]]
* [[Sichuan Food]]
* [[List of dishes (A-Z)]]

== References ==

{{reflist}}

Five Spice Powder - Revision history

Admin: [CFWK] replace oversized image with web-sized version under 12.5MP limit

Admin: [CFWK] Create Five Spice Powder (五香粉) article with Commons images and references