Cloves (whole) - 50g

Clove (Syzygium aromaticum), a tropical evergreen tree in the Myrtaceae family, is grown for its little reddish-brown flower buds, which are used as a spice. Cloves were employed to preserve, flavor, and decorate food in Europe throughout the late Middle Ages. Clove oils, dried flower buds, leaves, and stems are used to make medicine. Cloves are commonly used as a spice, flavoring, or fragrance in consumer products, such as toothpaste, soaps, or cosmetics.

The clove tree is an evergreen that grows to a height of 8 to 12 meters (25 to 40 ft). It has tiny, simple, opposite leaves with glands. Trees are often reproduced from seeds placed in shaded regions. Flowering commences during the fifth year, and a tree may produce up to 34 kg (75 pounds) of dried buds every year. Hand-picked in late summer and winter, the blooms are then sun-dried. Cloves range in length from 13 to 19 mm (0.5 to 0.75 inches). The buds contain 14 to 20% essential oil, the majority of which is the fragrant oil eugenol. Cloves have a strong pungent flavor due to eugenol, which is extracted by distillation to produce clove oil. This oil is used to make microscopic slides for examination and also as a topical anesthetic for toothaches. Eugenol is employed in germicides, fragrances, and mouthwashes, as a sweetener or intensifier, and in the production of vanillin.

Clove is an antioxidant-rich spice. Cloves include fiber, vitamins, and minerals, so adding whole or crushed cloves to your dish can supply some essential elements. These have long been used in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine to boost the immune system, decrease inflammation, and help digestion. Clove oil is arguably best recognized as a toothache and dental pain reliever. It is suggested that the antibacterial qualities of cloves may aid in the reduction of oral germs that can contribute to plague, gingivitis, and cavities.

Store whole or ground cloves in an air-tight container away from heat, light, and moisture. When stored properly, ground cloves will retain their freshness for approximately a year. Whole cloves will stay fresh indefinitely, but should always be stored away from heat and moisture.