Five-Spice Powder

One of the strengths of five-spice powder—in its many variations—is that it takes into account the five basic flavors of Asian as well as European cuisine: sweet, sour, bitter, savory, and salty. Recipes for this spice blend vary depending on the tastes and regional background of the person blending it. One recipe includes a mixture of ground Chinese cinnamon (cassia), star anise, anise, ginger root, and cloves, while another recipe consists of ground Sichuan pepper, star anise, cassia, cloves, and fennel seeds.