Cloves
Originating in Indonesia, cloves are dried flower buds from the clove tree. They have a warming, sweet, and spicy taste and may be used in both sweet and savory dishes.
Other Names
- Syzygium aromaticum (scientific name)
- Cengkeh (Indonesian)
- 丁香 / dīng xiāng (Chinese)
What are Cloves?
Cloves are the dried flower buds of an evergreen tea in the myrtle plant family called the clove tree (Syzygium aromaticum). Whole cloves are shaped like a small, reddish-brown spike, usually around 1 centimeter in length, with a bulbous top.
The small, spike-topped buds of the tree are harvested before they flower. While the buds are green in color when harvested, they turn deep dark brown when dried.
The clove trees grow best in highly humid warm environments, making tropical environments the perfect fit for this plant. Native to the Maluku Islands of Indonesia, cloves are one of the reasons the region is known as the Spice Islands. Today, cloves are also harvested in Madagascar, Sri Lanka, India, Tanzania, Zanzibar, and other hot, tropical areas.
What Do Cloves Taste Like?
Cloves are quite strong in aroma and flavor. Incredibly aromatic and intensely warm cloves add depth to any dish, regardless of whether they are sweet or savory. The flavor comes from the compound eugenol. On the tongue, you will detect sweetness, bitterness, and astringency, with a noticeable amount of heat.
Whole vs Ground Cloves
Cloves are sold in both whole and ground form. Like all spices, cloves begin to lose their aromatics and flavors quickly once ground. Therefore, it’s recommended to grind whole cloves yourself with a mortar and pestle or spice grinder. As a rule of thumb, use ¾ teaspoon of ground cloves per 1 teaspoon of whole cloves called for in the recipe.
Whole cloves also have a longer shelf life than ground clove powder and will stay fresh for up to a year when stored in a cool, dry place in an airtight container.
Where to Buy
Cloves can be found in small jars in the spice section of the supermarket. You will see both the whole cloves and ground cloves. Another place to look for cloves is at Indian grocery stores because they are often used in the cuisine.
Storage
Cloves should be stored in an airtight container, preferably in a cool and dark place. Whole cloves will retain their potency longer than ground cloves. Properly stored ground cloves will last for 2 to 3 years while whole cloves will last for up to 4 years.
Cooking with Cloves
Cloves are a popular spice around the world and are used in a wide range of international cuisines. They can be used whole or ground, and they have a very strong, pungent flavor and aroma. Given their notably strong taste and aroma, cloves are used sparingly in most dishes.
Whole or ground cloves are used to flavor sweet and savory dishes. When cooking with whole cloves, add them to the dish during the cooking process to infuse their flavor into the dishes, but they are usually removed before serving. That’s because whole cloves remain woody and tough even after cooking. Meanwhile, ground cloves are more easily incorporated into dishes.
