Clove

species of plant

A clove (Syzygium aromaticum, syn. Eugenia aromaticum or Eugenia caryophyllata) is an aromatic dried flower bud of a tree in the family Myrtaceae. Cloves are native to Indonesia. A clove tree is an evergreen and grows to the height of 8-12 m. The part used in cookery is a dried flower bud. Cloves are harvested primarily in Zanzibar, Indonesia and Madagascar; it is also grown in India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, where they call it lavang.

Clove
Scientific classification
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S. aromaticum
Binomial name
Syzygium aromaticum
(L.) Merrill & Perry
A single dried clove flower bud
A single dried clove flower bud

Use in cooking

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Cloves are used in cooking, whole or ground. If you put whole cloves in a ham, they will impart their flavour to the meat. Dried cloves are a key spice in India.

History

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Cloves were once traded in Portugal. Clove was once one of the most valuable spices, a kg costing 7 g of gold.

Other websites

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  Media related to Clove at Wikimedia Commons