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Clove

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description Clove Overview

Cloves are the dried flower buds of the Syzygium aromaticum tree, native to the Maluku Islands in Indonesia and now cultivated in several tropical regions including Madagascar, Zanzibar, and Sri Lanka. These small, nail-shaped spices contain high concentrations of eugenol, an essential oil that gives cloves their distinctive warm, sweet, and slightly bitter flavor. Historically significant as one of the most valuable commodities in the ancient spice trade, cloves are used in cuisine worldwide for pickling, baking, curry powders, and spice blends like Chinese five-spice.

help Clove FAQ

What plant does the spice clove come from?

Cloves are the dried flower buds of the evergreen tree known scientifically as Syzygium aromaticum. This tropical tree is native to the humid, volcanic climates of Indonesia's Maluku Islands, historically called the Spice Islands.

What chemical compound gives cloves their distinct smell and taste?

The strong, spicy aroma and numbing flavor of cloves come from a highly concentrated chemical compound called eugenol. This oil makes up roughly 70 to 90 percent of the essential oil extracted from the dried buds.

Besides cooking, what is clove commonly used for?

Due to its potent eugenol content, clove oil is widely used in traditional medicine and modern dentistry as a natural anesthetic for toothaches. It is also a popular ingredient in aromatic products like perfumes and seasonal pomanders.

How are cloves typically harvested?

The spice is harvested by hand-picking the pink flower buds just before they are allowed to fully bloom and open. The buds are then spread out in the sun to dry until they turn their signature dark brown color.

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