Cloves are the aromatic flower buds of the Syzygium aromaticum tree, native to the Maluku Islands in Indonesia. These evergreen trees produce clusters of flower buds that are harvested before they open, which gives cloves their distinctive shape and strong, warm flavor.

Harvesting involves hand-picking the unopened flower buds when they turn from green to slightly pink. The buds are then sun-dried until they become dark brown and hard. Once dried, they can be used whole or ground into powder.

As a spice, cloves are used in both sweet and savory dishes around the world. They are a key ingredient in spice blends like garam masala and pumpkin spice, and are commonly used in baking, marinades, and mulled drinks due to their bold, warm, and slightly peppery flavor.

Medicinally, cloves have been valued for centuries for their healing properties. They are especially known for:

• Relieving toothaches (thanks to eugenol, a natural anesthetic and antiseptic)
• Aiding digestion and reducing bloating
• Supporting respiratory health
• Acting as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent