ORIGIN: Madasgascar
MEDICINAL: Believed to curb the desire for alcohol and treat indigestion, diarrhea, hernia, and ringworm.
$5.50
/oz
The clove spice is a very pungent spice found in many savory dishes, drinks, and desserts. You can get cloves either ground or whole, and they can flavor sauces, meats, rice dishes, and so much more. They are most commonly used in sweet dishes alongside other spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg, for example, the classic pumpkin pie.
Cloves are a spice that comes from the flower buds of the clove tree, and they are harvested during an immature stage then dried carefully. They are small and are usually a reddish brown color with a bulbous top, and you can smell them from very far away – they have a very sweet, strong, and pungent aroma.
This spice is generally grown in India and Madagascar, however, Indonesia takes the reign when it comes to producing the most cloves. Known centuries ago as the Spice Islands, the spice was regularly bartered and traded across the world.
Flavor
So, what exactly do they taste like? Cloves have a very intense flavor and aroma, and it only takes a few of them to make a dish contain the flavor, so don’t use to many of them or too much of the ground spice. Though nobody really eats them plain, if you did, there would be a warm, strong, and even bitter taste that will fill your entire mouth – completely overwhelming.
However, when it comes to baking and cooking, this spice is easily added in to recipes to create a nutty and sweet flavor that has a beautiful aroma. It is extremely popular in desserts, but it is even more common in traditional Indian dishes – it’s one of the main components within garam masala. The spice is usually not eaten whole, even after the dish is cooked. It is usually picked out because the texture is very hard and woody. You can opt for ground cloves to add to dishes if you don’t feel like picking whole cloves out of your meal. Cloves are a great addition to many desserts and beverages, and they pack a whole lot of flavor for such a tiny spice!
Popular Recipes That Use Cloves
Cloves, with their strong, warm, and slightly sweet flavor, are a versatile spice used in both savory and sweet dishes around the world. They can add depth to hearty stews, enhance the flavor of baked goods, and bring aromatic notes to beverages.
- Biryani: This popular South Asian rice dish uses whole cloves in its spice blend to add warmth and complexity to the fragrant, spiced rice and meat.
- Chai Tea: In many variations of chai tea, this spice is a key ingredient, bringing a distinct sharpness that balances the sweetness of the milk and sugar.
- Holiday Baked Goods: Often used in cookies, gingerbread, and spiced cakes during the holiday season, contributing a deep, spicy flavor that pairs well with cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger.
- Glazed Ham: Also often studded into ham before glazing and roasting, adding a warm spice that complements the sweetness of the glaze.
- Mulled Wine and Cider: These warm, spiced beverages often include cloves as part of their spice mix, adding a rich, warming depth to the drink.
- Indian and Middle Eastern Curries: Ground or whole cloves are often included in spice blends such as garam masala and are used to flavor rich curries and meat dishes.
Health Benefits of Cloves
Cloves are not only valued for their rich flavor but also for their impressive health benefits. Here are some of the most notable:
- Rich in Antioxidants: Packed with antioxidants, particularly eugenol, which can help fight free radicals in the body and reduce oxidative stress.
- Digestive Aid: Traditionally used to aid digestion and alleviate issues like bloating, indigestion, and nausea. They can help stimulate the production of digestive enzymes.
- Anti-inflammatory Properties: The eugenol in cloves also has potent anti-inflammatory effects, which can help in reducing inflammation and providing relief from conditions like arthritis.
- Antimicrobial Properties: They have natural antimicrobial properties, which can help fight infections and support oral health. Clove oil is often used in dental care products to reduce gum inflammation and alleviate toothache.
- Improves Liver Health: Some studies suggest that cloves can help promote liver health and protect it from oxidative damage due to their antioxidant content.
Spice Station
At Spice Station, we offer the finest selection of cloves and a wide range of other spices to elevate your cooking. We offer cloves either ground or whole. To order, click the Add To Cart button. Along with cloves, we carry a variety of whole spices and custom spice blends to meet all your culinary needs. Explore our collection today and bring the world of spices into your kitchen!
Be the first to review “Cloves”
The clove spice is a very pungent spice found in many savory dishes, drinks, and desserts. You can get cloves either ground or whole, and they can flavor sauces, meats, rice dishes, and so much more. They are most commonly used in sweet dishes alongside other spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg, for example, the classic pumpkin pie.
Cloves are a spice that comes from the flower buds of the clove tree, and they are harvested during an immature stage then dried carefully. They are small and are usually a reddish brown color with a bulbous top, and you can smell them from very far away – they have a very sweet, strong, and pungent aroma.
This spice is generally grown in India and Madagascar, however, Indonesia takes the reign when it comes to producing the most cloves. Known centuries ago as the Spice Islands, the spice was regularly bartered and traded across the world.
Flavor
So, what exactly do they taste like? Cloves have a very intense flavor and aroma, and it only takes a few of them to make a dish contain the flavor, so don’t use to many of them or too much of the ground spice. Though nobody really eats them plain, if you did, there would be a warm, strong, and even bitter taste that will fill your entire mouth – completely overwhelming.
However, when it comes to baking and cooking, this spice is easily added in to recipes to create a nutty and sweet flavor that has a beautiful aroma. It is extremely popular in desserts, but it is even more common in traditional Indian dishes – it’s one of the main components within garam masala. The spice is usually not eaten whole, even after the dish is cooked. It is usually picked out because the texture is very hard and woody. You can opt for ground cloves to add to dishes if you don’t feel like picking whole cloves out of your meal. Cloves are a great addition to many desserts and beverages, and they pack a whole lot of flavor for such a tiny spice!
Popular Recipes That Use Cloves
Cloves, with their strong, warm, and slightly sweet flavor, are a versatile spice used in both savory and sweet dishes around the world. They can add depth to hearty stews, enhance the flavor of baked goods, and bring aromatic notes to beverages.
- Biryani: This popular South Asian rice dish uses whole cloves in its spice blend to add warmth and complexity to the fragrant, spiced rice and meat.
- Chai Tea: In many variations of chai tea, this spice is a key ingredient, bringing a distinct sharpness that balances the sweetness of the milk and sugar.
- Holiday Baked Goods: Often used in cookies, gingerbread, and spiced cakes during the holiday season, contributing a deep, spicy flavor that pairs well with cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger.
- Glazed Ham: Also often studded into ham before glazing and roasting, adding a warm spice that complements the sweetness of the glaze.
- Mulled Wine and Cider: These warm, spiced beverages often include cloves as part of their spice mix, adding a rich, warming depth to the drink.
- Indian and Middle Eastern Curries: Ground or whole cloves are often included in spice blends such as garam masala and are used to flavor rich curries and meat dishes.
Health Benefits of Cloves
Cloves are not only valued for their rich flavor but also for their impressive health benefits. Here are some of the most notable:
- Rich in Antioxidants: Packed with antioxidants, particularly eugenol, which can help fight free radicals in the body and reduce oxidative stress.
- Digestive Aid: Traditionally used to aid digestion and alleviate issues like bloating, indigestion, and nausea. They can help stimulate the production of digestive enzymes.
- Anti-inflammatory Properties: The eugenol in cloves also has potent anti-inflammatory effects, which can help in reducing inflammation and providing relief from conditions like arthritis.
- Antimicrobial Properties: They have natural antimicrobial properties, which can help fight infections and support oral health. Clove oil is often used in dental care products to reduce gum inflammation and alleviate toothache.
- Improves Liver Health: Some studies suggest that cloves can help promote liver health and protect it from oxidative damage due to their antioxidant content.
Spice Station
At Spice Station, we offer the finest selection of cloves and a wide range of other spices to elevate your cooking. We offer cloves either ground or whole. To order, click the Add To Cart button. Along with cloves, we carry a variety of whole spices and custom spice blends to meet all your culinary needs. Explore our collection today and bring the world of spices into your kitchen!
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