Five spices

Five spices is a low carbohydrate / keto friendly food item.

Five Spices

Type	Spice Blend
Food energy (per 1 teaspoon serving)	Approx. 6 kcal
Cookbook: Five Spices   Media: Five Spices

Overview

Five Spices is a traditional Chinese spice blend that encompasses the five flavors - sweet, sour, bitter, pungent, and salty. It's extensively used in Asian cuisine to impart a complex flavor profile to dishes.

Ingredients

• Star anise
• Cloves
• Chinese cinnamon (or cassia bark)
• Sichuan peppercorns
• Fennel seeds

Preparation

• 1. Use equal parts of each spice for a balanced flavor. Adjust according to personal preference.
• 2. Toast the spices lightly in a pan over low heat until aromatic.
• 3. Grind in a spice grinder or mortar and pestle to a fine powder.
• 4. Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.

Uses

• As a rub for meats like duck, pork, and beef.
• In marinades and braising liquids.
• Flavoring for stir-fries.
• Enhances the taste of rice and noodle dishes.

Nutritional Value

Five Spices is low in calories but rich in flavor. It has antioxidants due to the presence of spices like cloves and cinnamon.

Variations

• Some variations might include ginger, nutmeg, cardamom, or even dried tangerine peel.

External Sources

• Chinese Five Spice Guide
• Asian Spice Blends