Know The Facts Clove

Clove is the dried flower bud of a tropical evergreen tree belonging to the myrtle family globally known for its warm sweet spicy aroma intense flavour and powerful medicinal properties.

Flavour and Health

As frequently highlighted by culinary science and health channels on YouTube clove behaves like a tiny medicine cabinet:

. Whole unbroken cloves have a strong scent. The magic is in the volatile oil called eugenol. When you crush, grind or chew them eugenol is released the compound responsible for both the warm numbing taste and clove’s potent health benefits.

. Eugenol provides exceptional antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory and pain relieving properties. Regular use is scientifically backed to help relieve toothache, freshen breath, improve digestion, reduce inflammation, help control blood sugar and strengthen the immune system against common colds.

Cooking and Kitchen

Clove changes its entire culinary personality depending on how it is prepared:

. Whole and warm: Whole cloves deliver a fierce warm spicy bite perfect for stews, rice, ham, curries and medicinal teas.

. Ground and Sweet: Ground clove is mellow and sweet when added to cakes, breads and drinks or simmered gently in milk the harsh notes soften transforming the clove into a warm rich and comforting spice.

Cultivation Fact

. Planting: Clove is a tropical tree that is incredibly rewarding to grow at home you simply plant a fresh seed or seedling in warm humid well drained soil with partial shade.

. The Harvest: After spending 6 to 8 years growing the tree begins to flower the unopened pink flower buds are picked by hand and dried in the sun until they turn dark brown ready for use as the cloves we know.

In short: Clove is a dried flower bud from a tropical tree it Is small dark brown and has a warm sweet spicy smell. It Is used as a spice in food, tea and cakes and as medicine for toothache, digestion and colds because of a powerful oil in it called eugenol.