Cloves

Guide Note

Cloves are a spice used often in baking, such as in cookies or cakes. Cloves are made from the unopened flower bud of the evergreen clove tree. The clove flower buds are picked by hand when they are pink and dried till they turn brown.

Cloves have been used in Asia for over 2000 years. Cloves were brought to Europe around the fourth century by Arab traders. Chinese emperors required their officers to sweeten their breath with cloves before speaking with them. During the 1600s cloves were worth more than their weight in gold. In the past wars were fought to secure the clove trade business.

Fast Facts

1. Can be used whole or ground
2. Indonesia is largest producer
3. Resemble a nail
4. Name comes from the Latin word for "nail"
5. Takes 5000 to 7000 dried cloves to make a pound
6. Many uses
7. Only spice smoked more than eaten
8. Finest clove comes from Zanzibar and Madagascar
9. Home remedy for tooth pain
10. Main flavor contributor to ketchup and Worchestershire sauce
11. Used in meats, salad dressings and desserts
12. In Moluccas a clove tree was planted by parents when a child was born

It is better to buy whole cloves than clove powder because the powder loses flavor quickly. A good quality clove will release some the oil when squeezed with a fingernail. When placing a clove in a cup of water a good quality clove will float vertically and if stale will sink or float horizontally.

Cloves should be stored in glass containers with a tight fitting lid and kept in a dark, dry place.