# McCormick Gourmet Chinese Five Spice Blend > Health and ingredient intelligence for a real grocery product. Source: Supermarket Puzzle (Grocery Intelligence Index). Not a shop. ## Snapshot - **Brand:** McCormick Gourmet - **Retailer listed:** Foodtown - **Category:** Cooking & Baking - **Size:** 1.75 oz - **Human page:** https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/mccormick-gourmet-chinese-five-spice-blend-175-oz - **Slug:** `mccormick-gourmet-chinese-five-spice-blend-175-oz` ## NOVA classification **NOVA 3** - Processed foods This is a processed spice blend composed of dried whole spices that have been ground and mixed, with added sulfiting agents for preservation; it’s not an ultra‑processed formulation of industrial ingredients but it is more than simply unprocessed spices. ## Review McCormick Gourmet Chinese Five Spice Blend is a small, pantry-friendly jar you’ll find in the spice aisle near other McCormick blends, Asian sauces and dry rubs; larger stores may also stock it in the international or Asian foods section alongside star anise, cinnamon sticks and Chinese cooking staples. Suited to weeknight stir-fries, weekend braises, holiday baking and anytime you want to add an aromatic, slightly sweet‑spicy lift, this blend reads as a versatile specialty seasoning for home cooks experimenting with East Asian flavors. Branded under McCormick’s “Gourmet” label, it leans into authenticity and culinary adventure — targeted at foodies and home cooks seeking convenience and consistent spice quality rather than budget shoppers or kids. The label emphasizes traditional spices and heritage uses (roast duck, braised pork) without prominent kid-oriented graphics; there’s no front-of-pack organic seal, and the ingredient list gives a straightforward, “natural-sounding” impression but does include sulfiting agents as a preservative. In plain processing terms, it’s a blended dry spice product made from dried and ground botanicals with a preservative to maintain color and shelf stability. Sensory notes: the jar yields a fine-to-coarse brown-red powder flecked with tiny star‑anise fragments, giving off warm top notes of anise and cinnamon and a bitter-sweet backbone; texture is dry and powdery, easy to pinch or mix into a rub or braising liquid. Typical use is a quick pinch while stir-frying, mixing into marinades or measuring by teaspoon into baking batters — a small ritual that converts familiar home meals into something more aromatic and globally inspired. ## Diet flags - Vegan - Vegetarian - Gluten-free - Dairy-free ## Nutrition - **Serving size:** 0 - **Servings per container:** 1 - **Calories:** 0 - **Total fat:** 0g (0% DV) - **Saturated fat:** 0g (0% DV) - **Sodium:** 0mg (0% DV) - **Total carbs:** 0g (0% DV) - **Protein:** 0g ## Ingredients Anise, Cinnamon, Star Anise, Clove, Ginger & Sulfiting Agents. ## Context tags - **Occasions:** holiday-baking, meal-prep-sunday, weekend-brunch - **Vibes:** adventurous, comforting, practical ## FAQ ### Is the Chinese Five Spice Blend healthy? Healthy is a bit of a buzzword, isn’t it? This blend is made from a lovely mix of spices like anise, cinnamon, and ginger, which can bring flavor without the calories. It’s a great way to add depth to your dishes without resorting to heavy sauces or added sugars, so in that context, it’s definitely a healthier option than many processed sauces out there! ### Is the Chinese Five Spice Blend vegan? Absolutely! This blend is 100% vegan, so you can sprinkle it on your tofu stir-fries or veggie noodles without any guilt. It’s a fantastic way to add complexity to plant-based dishes! ### Is the Chinese Five Spice Blend gluten-free? Yes, you can enjoy this spice blend without worrying about gluten! It’s perfect for seasoning your favorite gluten-free dishes, from stir-fries to soups. Just check the rest of your ingredients to keep the whole meal gluten-free! ### Does the Chinese Five Spice Blend contain seed oils? Nope, this blend is free from seed oils! That means you’re just getting the pure, aromatic goodness of the spices. It’s a straightforward blend that focuses on flavor rather than fillers. ### Does the Chinese Five Spice Blend contain artificial sweeteners? Not at all! This blend is all about natural flavors, so you won’t find any sneaky artificial sweeteners hiding here. It’s a great way to enjoy authentic flavor without the extra additives. ### Is the Chinese Five Spice Blend high in sugar? Nope, it’s not high in sugar at all! In fact, it doesn’t contain any added sugars, making it a smart choice for those looking to cut back on sweeteners. You can use it to enhance your savory dishes without worrying about sugar spikes. ### What are healthier alternatives to the Chinese Five Spice Blend? If you’re looking for alternatives, you might consider making your own blend with similar spices like cumin or coriander, depending on your taste. However, McCormick’s blend is pretty convenient and already has that perfect balance of flavors. Just remember, fresh spices can always elevate your dish, too! ### Can kids eat the Chinese Five Spice Blend? Definitely! It can be a fun way to introduce kids to new flavors. Just start with a small amount in their meals, like stir-fried veggies or rice, to see how they like it. It’s a flavorful way to make their meals a bit more adventurous! ### Is the Chinese Five Spice Blend good for weight loss? While this blend itself isn’t a magic weight loss solution, it can help make your meals more flavorful without adding calories. Using spices like these can enhance the taste of healthier foods, making it easier to stick to your weight loss goals without feeling deprived! ### Is the Chinese Five Spice Blend ultra-processed? Nope, this blend is actually minimally processed! You’re getting a straightforward mix of spices without a laundry list of additives or preservatives, which is a win in my book. It’s a great example of how processed doesn’t always mean unhealthy! ## Related products - [Madhava Honey Golden Light Agave](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/madhava-honey-golden-light-agave-2350-oz) (NOVA 2) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/madhava-honey-golden-light-agave-2350-oz - [Simply Organic Garlic Powder](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/simply-organic-garlic-powder-364-oz) (NOVA 1) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/simply-organic-garlic-powder-364-oz - [Bell's All Natural Salt?Free Seasoning](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/bells-all-natural-saltfree-seasoning-1-oz) (NOVA 1) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/bells-all-natural-saltfree-seasoning-1-oz - [Badia Rub - Mojo Citrus Blend](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/badia-rub-mojo-citrus-blend-5-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/badia-rub-mojo-citrus-blend-5-oz - [Bob's Red Mill Coconut Flakes](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/bobs-red-mill-bobs-red-mill-coconut-flakes-10-oz) (NOVA 1) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/bobs-red-mill-bobs-red-mill-coconut-flakes-10-oz - [Flavorganics Extract, Organic Orange](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/flavorganics-extract-organic-orange-2-oz) (NOVA 2) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/flavorganics-extract-organic-orange-2-oz - [Simply Organic Black Pepper, Organic, Medium Grind](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/simply-organic-black-pepper-organic-medium-grind-231-oz) (NOVA 1) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/simply-organic-black-pepper-organic-medium-grind-231-oz - [Paradise Fruits Mix](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/paradise-fruits-mix-32-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/paradise-fruits-mix-32-oz ## For agents Prefer this markdown sheet over scraping the HTML page. 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