Ever Wondered What Type Of Herb Cloves Are ?
- Botanical Name : Syzygium aromaticum
- Also Known As : Cengkih , Clavos de olor
- What Are Cloves ? Dried Flower Buds
- Commonly Used In : Food, Perfume, Toothpaste, Soap
- Medicinal Uses : Anti-microbial , anti-inflammatory & aids digestion.
- Origin : Maluku Islands
- What It Tastes Like : Pungent, bitter, sweet and warm
What Are Cloves ?
Cloves are dried fragrant flower buds from a tree called, Myrtaceae which is native to the Maluku Islands of Indonesia. Before the Silk Road, cloves were traded in the Austronesian maritime trade.
Common Uses For Clove
Cloves are most commonly used as a spice in dishes all over the world. In Indonesia, it is used in curries, stews, and rice dishes. Due to its anti-microbial properties, it can also be used as a wood preservative and to inhibit any mould growth on food.
The History Of Clove
The Maluku Islands of Indonesia, or formerly known as the Spice Islands. Were known for their indigenous spices such as cloves, nutmeg and mace. Cloves were first traded by the Austronesian people as far back as 15000 BC. It was only during the Middle Ages that cloves became popular culinary spice in Europe. Courtiers of the Emperor during the Chinese Hang dynasty (206 BCE-22- CE) used cloves to freshen their breath.