Hi neighbors! Spices have an important function in food. In addition to giving taste, Spices can also provide health benefits. In Chinese food itself there are many spices used and different in each region. However, there are some spices that are very important in Chinese food in general. Therefore, let's discuss the most important spices in Chinese food.
Ginger (姜 jiāng)
Ginger is the most common Chinese spice for seasoning. It is usually used together with garlic in stir-fries, soups, and sauces.
Garlic (大蒜 dàsuàn)
In many cheaper restaurants such as Guilin-style or Lanzhou-style noodle shops, a bowl of minced garlic or a whole clove of garlic is prepared for customers to add to their meal.
Star Anise (八角 bājiǎo)
This is a very commonly used ingredient that is used more often than chili and the others below. Star Anise has a unique taste like licorice. The Chinese from north to south China love this taste and consider it a very healthy ingredient to mix with commonly used high Yang herbs and spices.
Cloves (丁香 dīngxiāng)
Cloves are one of the standard ingredients in a five-spice seasoning which generally consists of black pepper or peppercorns, star anise, fennel seeds, cloves, cinnamon, and salt.
Chili (辣椒 làjiāo)
Chili peppers are often dried to make chili flakes or chili powder, chili paste, and chili oil. Chili powder, flakes, and pasta are widely used in Chinese cuisine especially in the cooler northeast and areas around Sichuan and Guangxi.
Cinnamon (肉桂 ròuguì)
Throughout China, Cassia, the bark of the Cassia tree, is widely eaten. The taste is very similar to the type of cinnamon that was once most commonly used in the West. It is one of the standard ingredients of five-spice powder, but the Chinese are increasingly using it to make desserts, pastries, sweets, and drinks, and to flavor meat dishes.
Green Onion (葱 cōng)
Scallion is a type of spice that is widely used next. They are often added in stir-fries such as fried rice. They can also be added to soups, such as noodle soups that are commonly eaten like lamian (拉面 'pulled wheat noodles').
Sesame (芝麻 zhīma)
Sesame seeds and especially sesame oil are a distinctive flavor of Chinese cuisine. The seeds and/or oil can be added to deep-fried dishes such as fried rice, added to desserts and foods such as bread, and added to soy sauce to make gravy.
Black Pepper (黑胡椒 hēihújiāo)
The Chinese black pepper more often than Sichuan pepper, which tastes a little like black pepper, but is more bitter and numbs the mouth more. Pepper is especially preferred around Sichuan.
Those are the most important spices in Chinese food. So Neighbors? Interested in trying quality homemade food from Kokikan? There's no need to be afraid! because with Kokikan you can try home-cooked food around you which of course has a varied taste. Don't forget to comment and share this article. To read more Articles visit our Blog and stay tuned on our Social Media Instagram and Twitter. Cheers Neighbors!
