Cloves: Deep, Aromatic Spice
Intense and spicy-sweet, cloves add deep warmth and aroma to meats, marinades, bakes, and mulled drinks across global cuisines.
Table of content
How Do Cloves Taste?
What are cloves used for in cooking?
Can you eat whole cloves?
How should cloves be stored?
Is it true that cloves once played a role in early global diplomacy?
Spiced Mulled Wine
Cloves
Syzygium Aromaticum
What are Cloves?
Cloves are the dried flower buds of the clove tree, prized for their powerful aroma and flavour.
Once central to the ancient spice trade, they were worth their weight in gold and sparked centuries of exploration and competition.
Their essential oil, eugenol, is responsible for both their distinctive taste and their traditional use as a dental remedy.
In cooking, cloves are used sparingly due to their strength, enhancing spice blends like garam masala and Chinese five spice, or flavouring baked goods, mulled wines, curries, and roasted meats. Whole cloves are often studded into onions or hams for slow cooking, releasing their fragrance gradually.
Facts about Cloves
Flavour & Taste
Cloves have a bold, sweet-spicy flavour with warm, woody notes and a hint of bitterness that adds depth and intensity to food. Their aroma is rich and aromatic, almost floral, bringing a sense of warmth and comfort to both savoury and sweet dishes.
Where Do Cloves Come From?
Cloves are native to the Maluku Islands (also known as the Spice Islands) in Indonesia. Today, they are cultivated in Indonesia, Madagascar, Tanzania (especially Zanzibar and Pemba), Sri Lanka, and India.
Popular Varieties of Cloves
Cloves do not have distinct culinary varieties, but their quality varies by origin:
Zanzibar cloves
Highly aromatic and rich in essential oils.
Madagascar cloves
Slightly milder and lighter in flavour.
Indonesian cloves
Widely used for cooking and clove cigarettes (“kreteks”).
FAQ
How Do Cloves Taste?
Cloves are intensely warm, sweet, and pungent, with a numbing, peppery bite.
What are cloves used for in cooking?
Cloves flavour baked goods, curries, stews, mulled wine, and meat dishes. They’re often used whole or ground in spice blends like garam masala.
Can you eat whole cloves?
Whole cloves are not usually eaten — they’re used for infusing flavour and removed before serving, as their texture is hard and pungent.
How should cloves be stored?
Keep them in an airtight container away from light and heat. Whole cloves stay fresh for over a year, while ground cloves lose potency faster.
Is it true that cloves once played a role in early global diplomacy?
Yes — cloves were so valuable that in the 16th century they sparked political negotiations, trade wars, and even outright battles. The tiny Maluku Islands (the “Spice Islands”), where cloves originated, were fought over by European powers because cloves were worth more than gold. Their intense aroma wasn’t just prized in cooking — at the time, people believed cloves could ward off disease, making them one of the most sought-after spices in history.
Recipe Idea
Spiced Mulled Wine
Simmer red wine with orange slices, cinnamon sticks, and a few whole cloves.
Sweeten with honey or sugar, and serve warm for a festive, aromatic drink.
