Clove
By Tammy Krohn
Origin:
Cloves are native to the Maluku Islands in Indonesia. They are commercially harvested primarily in Bangladesh, Indonesia, India, Madagascar, Zanzibar, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Tanzania.
Botanical Information:
Tree in the family Myrtaceae, Syzygium aromatic. Clove comes from the unopened pink flower-buds of evergreen clove tree,
1/2'' long 1/4'' diameter
Health Benefits
Family: Myrtaceae, Genus: Syzygium, Species: S. aromaticum
Flower Buds
Culinary Uses:
Sweet or Savory - warm, sweet aromatic taste.
Can be used Fresh or Dried
Used in the cuisine of Asian, African, and the Near Middle East countries
Meats, Curries, Marinades and Fruit, Adds Flavor to Hot Beverages.
History
Cloves were traded by Muslim sailors and merchants during the Middle Ages.
Archeologist have found cloves in a ceramic vessel in Syria which dates to within a few years of 1721 BCE.
A Chinese leader in the Han Dynasty required visitors to chew cloves to freshen their breath.