Skip to main content

Five-Spice Powder

A macro shot of five spice powder.
Photo by Chelsie Craig

This version is made with up to eight spices. It’s worth using them all for the fullest flavor.  

  

Like this Bon Appétit recipe? There are plenty more where this came from. Subscribe to the magazine here!

Recipe information

  • Yield

    Makes about 1/2 cup

Ingredients

2½ (4"-long) cassia or cinnamon sticks
20 whole star anise
1 Tbsp. plus 1 tsp. whole cloves
20 slices dried sand ginger (optional)
2 Tbsp. plus 1½ tsp. Sichuan peppercorns
2½ tsp. sliced dried licorice root or fennel seeds
1 tsp. black peppercorns
1 tsp. white peppercorns (optional)

Special Equipment:

A spice mill or coffee grinder

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Toast cassia, star anise, cloves, sand ginger (if using), Sichuan peppercorns, licorice root, black peppercorns, and white peppercorns (if using) in a small skillet over medium, tossing once, until fragrant, about 3 minutes. Let cool; grind to a powder in spice mill or coffee grinder.

    Step 2

    Do Ahead: Five-Spice Powder can be made 1 month ahead. Store airtight at room temperature.

Read More
Developed in the 1980s by a chef in Hong Kong, this sauce is all about umami.
“Soft and pillowy, custardy and light—they were unlike any other scrambled eggs I had experienced before.”
Tangy and sunny, this curd can be made with either fresh or frozen pulp.
Make this versatile caramel at home with our slow-simmered method using milk and sugar—or take one of two sweetened condensed milk shortcuts.
Scoop up these warmly spiced chickpeas with any flatbread or spoon them onto rice.
You can enjoy these madeleines with just powdered sugar—or decorate them with a colorful white chocolate shell.
From author Sonoko Sakai, this Japanese omelet is distinguished by its fluffy layers, with a touch of sweetness from maple syrup.
These soft butter cookies are made with mooncake molds, reminiscent of block print stamps from Jaipur.