Chinese Food: What's Hot Now: Five Spice Powder

Chinese Food: What's Hot Now These articles that had the largest increase in popularity over the last week

Five Spice Powder Jul 24th 2011, 10:03 Answer: The origins of five-spice powder are lost to history. It's thought that ancient Chinese were attempting to produce a "wonder powder" that encompasses all five tastes: sweet, sour, bitter, salty and a fifth taste that is alternately known as hot, pungent or spicy. But which of the spices that make up five-spice powder matches which taste? A typical recipe for five-spice powder calls for szechuan peppercorns, ground cloves, fennel, cinnamon, star anise and cinnamon. Let's see what taste (or tastes) each of the spices contributes: Cinnamon: Cinnamon is sweet, but unlike sugar it has a spicy undertone. Some five-spice recipes call for Chinese cinnamon or cassia, a close cousin of true cinnamon, but with a more pungent flavor. Szechuan peppercorns: Not a pepper at all, but a reddish brown berry that comes from the prickly ash bush, Szechuan peppercorn has a truly unique taste. The first sensation from this aromatic spice is a peppery (spicy) taste that quickly numbs the tongue. Soon, you'll pick up hints of anise and ginger, gradually becoming lemony (sour), salty and hot. Ground Cloves: Ground cloves have a pungent, sweet flavor. Star Anise: Star anise has a taste similar to licorice, with a more bitter undertone. Fennel: Fennel is similar to anise but sweeter and less pungent, without so much of a licorice taste. When to Use Five-Spice Powder? Five-spice powder adds a spicy kick to dry rubs or marinades for meat, fish or poultry. It goes particularly well with pork - a traditional dish called "Five Flower Pork" consists of pork belly that is marinated in five-spice powder and other seasonings and steamed. Western versions of the dish substitute pork tenderloin or pork chops and call for stir-frying instead of steaming. Occasionally you will also see five-spice powder added to a sauce. And five-spice powder goes very nicely with tofu - it's one of the secret ingredients in pressed seasoned bean curd. Five-Spice Powder Recipes How to Make Five-Spice Powder Spicy Spareribs Chinese-style Roast Turkey Easy Braised Spareribs Five-Spice Peanuts Glazed Carrots Hawaiian Luau Barbecued Beef Ribs Honey Chicken in the Microwave Honey Chicken â€" Oven Roasted Oriental Rotisserie-Style Turkey Breast Paper-wrapped Chicken Appetizer Spiced Beef Recipe â€" (uses three of the ingredients in five-spice powder) Szechuan Guacamole Chocolate Fusion Fondue Chinese Fruit Salad Vietnamese Five-Spice Cornish Game Hens - From the About Guide to Barbecues and Grilling

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