Organic Cloves

Our organic whole cloves are the dried, unopened, nail-shaped flower buds of the evergreen tree Syzygium aromaticum. The name "clove" derives from the Latin word for nail, "clavus" (because of its shape). Clove goes by many names in different languages such as "ding xiang" (Mandarin Chinese), "laung" (Hindi), "clavo" (Spanish), "clou de girofle" (French), "chiodo di garofano" (Italian), "qurnafl" (Arabic), and "nelke" (German).

Cloves come from the flower buds of an evergreen tree that is native to the North Moluccas Islands in Indonesia. Clove trees grow to about 26-40 feet and flower after about 6 years. The tree becomes fully mature in 20 years and can bear fruit for more than 80 years. The flower buds gradually develop in color and are ready for collecting when they turn bright red. Cloves are handpicked before the flower opens. Harvested cloves are 0.5-0.75" long and consist of stems with four unopened petals which form a small ball in the center. After harvesting, clove buds are spread out in a thin layer on a mat to dry in the sun or by using a mechanical dryer.

Insert whole cloves into baked hams or oranges, apples or onions to add flavour, or add ground cloves to curries. They can also be used to flavour syrups and baked goods such as clove sugar cookies.