Whole Organic Cloves

Whole Organic Cloves

Whole organic cloves, a true Christmas spice, perfect for oranges, roasts, or sauces.

About Cloves

Clove is the dried flower buds of a tropical, evergreen tree. Commonly, clove is referred to just as 'clove', originating from the German word Nägelein, meaning small nail, alluding to the spice's shape. Clove should not be confused with the perennial flower that shares the same name, as they are not related.

The clove tree belongs to the myrtle family and thrives in humid climates near the sea. It can grow at least 12 meters high. The flower buds grow in clusters, many high up in the trees, making harvesting challenging. The small buds must be picked when they are swollen and turning pink, but before they open and bloom. The unopened buds are then sun-dried for several days, during which they acquire the dark brown color we are familiar with.

Clove contains 15-18 percent essential oils, primarily comprised of eugenol, which is also found in allspice. Eugenol has both antiseptic and anesthetic properties. However, it is also a fragrance compound that can cause allergies, and therefore must be declared if a product contains eugenol.

Usage

Cloves have a distinctive, pleasant aroma that we associate with the Christmas mood, like when whole cloves are studded into oranges and hung as decorations.

Cloves are available both as whole cloves and ground cloves.

Clove has a dominant flavor, and care must be taken not to overuse it in cooking. Clove is widely used in Chinese cuisine and is one of the ingredients in five-spice powder.

For example, whole cloves can be studded into an onion, which is then cooked in a broth or sauce, providing a subtle flavor without overpowering. Similarly, whole cloves can be inserted into the rind of pork roast, ham, or duck, where they impart flavor to the meat. They can also be added to marinades for fish or meat. Sugared fruits such as plums and pears can be spiced with whole cloves in the syrup.

Ground clove is used in spiced baked goods and desserts. In Christmas gingerbread and honey cakes, it is indispensable as it contributes to their distinctive taste and aroma alongside other spices.

Furthermore, cloves are used to spice mulled wine and other warm drinks.

Clove or clove oil (eugenol) is also used in mouthwashes and toothpastes for its disinfectant effect. Previously, dentists mixed clove oil with zinc oxide to make a temporary cement filling for teeth.

In Southeast Asia, cloves are used differently. In India, they are chewed for fresh breath, and in Indonesia, about 50 percent of the world's production is blended with tobacco for kretek cigarettes, commonly smoked by Indonesian men. The characteristic incense-like aroma is encountered everywhere in that region.

Origin

Cloves originate from the Moluccas, a group of small islands in Indonesia. Around the beginning of the first millennium, the spice reached India and China.

Today, Indonesia remains the largest producer, but cloves are also grown on the islands of Madagascar, Zanzibar, Pemba, Sri Lanka, and in Brazil.

Latin Name: Syzygium aromaticum