Chinese Five-spice Powder

Chinese Five-Spice: star anise, cloves, cinnamon, fennel & sichuan peppercorns (Photo by Cynthia Nelson)

Hi Everyone, Every West Indian familiar with Chinese cuisine, refuses to make any of their favourite Chinese dishes without a few sprinklings of Chinese Five-spice powder added to their food.

So ubiquitous has this spice-combo become that some manufacturers (particularly local and regional), don’t even bother to mention that it is Chinese Five-spice powder, it is simply labelled: Chinese Spice and those in the know, know that it’s the Five-spice powder.

In all cuisines, food is not just food.