Shichimi togarashi (pronounced schh-CHEE-mee toh-guh-RAH-schee), can be quite a tongue-twister for most Westerners but when translated into English it simply means,"Seven Spice"-- now that's easy.
Japanese Seven Spice is a mixture of seven flavors that delight the palate and tickles the nose, comprised mostly of chile peppers and various ingredients. And no, Japanese Seven Spice is not Chinese Five Spice with two more ingredients -- they couldn't be more different. Being that both, the Chinese and the Japanese, have created their own distinct spice versions native to their cuisines, the 5 spice powder is more fragrant with sweeter overtones of anise flavors; and the Japanese seven spice is well, spicier with chile peppers bringing in the heat factor.
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