What is the difference of Thirteen spices and Five spice powder?

Thirteen Spices is a seasoning powder made by grinding a combination of spices including purple perilla, sand ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon, clove, Sichuan peppercorn, star anise, fennel, Amomum villosum, Angelica dahurica, Saussurea involucrata, ginger, and dried ginger.

The difference between Five Spice Powder and Thirteen Spices is as follows: First, the raw materials are different. Second, the taste is different. Because Thirteen Spices uses more spices, its aroma is stronger and more complex. In comparison, the taste of Five Spice Powder is slightly inferior, but it still has a great seasoning effect. Third, the usage is different. As the taste of Five Spice Powder is milder, it can be used in making some home-cooked dishes. For example, it can be added to make pancakes or flatbreads to enhance the flavor, or to remove the fishy smell from meats such as pork and chicken. Thirteen Spices, on the other hand, contains many more spices, making its aroma stronger. It is particularly effective in reducing the strong odor of meats such as beef and lamb.

When using five-spice powder, it is recommended to use it sparingly due to its strong flavor, generally 2-5 grams is sufficient. Five-spice powder has a strong and fragrant taste with a slightly spicy and sweet flavor, and is mainly used to season braised and barbecued foods, as well as an ingredient for pickling vegetables and hot pot seasonings.

When using thirteen-spice powder, it can be used flexibly according to personal preferences. For example, it can be added to the wok along with some minced raw scallions and ginger to enhance the flavor while stir-frying vegetables. It can also be added to stir-fried braised dishes or used as an ingredient in dumpling and bun fillings. However, it is not recommended to add thirteen-spice powder when making clear soup to avoid affecting the color of the soup.