Spice things up: the clove

The highly aromatic clove is one of the spices used for cooking. Learn more about this refreshing spice that comes straight from our Sri Lankan producer partners and features in both our tea recipes and spice blends as part of our Terra Madre spice brand.

A brief history…

This pretty spice with its distinctive shape is native to Indonesia. Clove trees can grow to a height of 15 metres and the contrast between their imposing size and this tiny dried flower is striking. Cloves were mentioned in Ayurvedic medicine as early as 1500 BC. The spice is called “bird’s tongue” by the Chinese, who used it to freshen their mouths during the Han Dynasty.

It first appeared in Europe at the start of the Middle Ages: two cloves were discovered in Horbourg-Wihr in Alsace, in a Merovingian tomb dating from the 6th century. That’s just a few kilometres from the Jardins de Gaïa headquarters in fact – quite a coincidence don’t you think?

Buds and twigs: two sources

The buds are picked and dried while still immature to be sold whole or in powdered form. Light pressure from a fingernail is enough to release the precious essential oil which they contain in great concentration. This oil is also concentrated in the twigs that the SOFA and MOPA Sri Lankan cooperatives resell for processing.

How are cloves used in cooking?

Cloves are used in many dishes from all around the world – studded in an an onion for a lentil stew, infused in mulled wine, in ground form in gingerbread, stirred into a curry, or even a tagine.

Are you looking for some ideas to get started?

Get some inspiration from our world mixes!

The Berber blend Addis Abeba Mix contains cinnamon, ginger, cloves and cumin, but also thyme and rosemary in particular. This blend of high-quality, sweet and fruity spices is instantly evocative of Ethiopia. A few pinches added to the oil before browning poultry, red lentils, or other vegetables and your dish will have all the warmth of a traditional Berber recipe!

Head north and you’ll find the clove used in sweet recipes. Nordik Mix, the warm blend from cold climes, is a typically Swedish spice blend. Cinnamon, ginger, cardamom and cloves will warm up your desserts – cakes, biscuits, jams – and take centre stage in the famous “pepparkakor”, the local gingerbread!

Do you prefer to used it whole?

Try an orange studded with cloves during the Christmas holidays or added to traditional French stewed dishes, indulge yourself with cloves and let your imagination run wild!