Chinese 5 spice powder originated as a medicinal treatment. Many of the spices used in the blend have known antiseptic qualities, and it was believed it aided digestion and improved the immune system.
 
It’s a classic ingredient in not only Chinese dishes but in other Asian, Arabic and Polynesian recipes too. It is said to incorporate all five taste elements: sweet, sour, bitter, pungent, and salty. It goes particularly well with pork eg pork belly and duck, spare ribs, and also with tofu. Stir-fry vegetables are greatly enhanced by a sprinkling of Chinese 5 spice during cooking.