Clove

Origin

In addition to their origin in Madagascar (Indonesia), cloves are also grown in Zanzibar (India), Sri Lanka, and Flavor Islands (Banda Islands). People use the whole part of fresh cloves or the powdered form in cooking because they have a strong odor.

Features

Clove Syzygium Aromacticum is a species of plant in the Myrtacea family, that produces scented flower buds when dried. Cloves are evergreen plants that can grow up to 20 meters, with large oval leaves and crimson flowers in clusters.

The flower buds initially turn to light colors and become green. Then, they develop a bright red color when they are ready to be harvested. Locals collect these buds when they are about 2cm (long) and consist of long sepals. They stretch into four sepals and four unexposed sepals forming a small round center.

Benefits

Cloves are commonly used in Europe and Asia. In Indonesia, locals make cigarettes from cloves, mixing them with cannabis. These cigarettes are called Kretek. Cloves are also indispensable raw materials in the production of incense in China and Japan. Clove essential oils are always used in aromatherapy massage and toothache treatments.