Cloves are the aromatic flower buds of the clove tree, Syzygium aromaticum, which is native to Indonesia. Cloves are one of the most well-known and widely used spices in the world, valued for their strong, warm, and sweet flavor as well as their medicinal properties.

Cloves are harvested when they are still unopened flower buds, and they are then dried until they turn brown. The dried cloves are small, dark brown, and nail-shaped with a tapered stem. They contain high levels of essential oils, particularly eugenol, which gives them their characteristic aroma and flavor.

Cloves are used whole or ground in both sweet and savory dishes, as well as in various culinary traditions around the world. They are commonly used in baking, particularly in spice blends like pumpkin pie spice and gingerbread spice, as well as in desserts such as cakes, cookies, and fruit compotes.

In savory dishes, cloves are often used to flavor meats, stews, soups, and sauces, as well as pickles and marinades. They are a key ingredient in many spice blends and masalas, such as garam masala in Indian cuisine and five-spice powder in Chinese cuisine.

In addition to their culinary uses, cloves have been used for centuries in traditional medicine for their various health benefits. They are believed to have antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic properties, and they are commonly used to relieve toothaches and promote digestive health.