Organic Whole Cloves
Country of Origin: India
Cloves are dried, unopened flower buds from a tropical evergreen that bears dense dark green
folage; It is native to the Eastern Indonesia Islands. However, is interesting to know that cloves
were found in Syria in a domestic kitchen site 1700BC. Wow! Cloves were introduced to China by The
Han dynasty between 206BC and 220AD and were bought into Alexandria by the Romans in the 2nd century
AD and by the 8th century AD cloves were well known throughout Europe. Cloves were probably the
first form of breath freshner as it was known to hold cloves in the mouth before addressing the
Emperor. Cloves were also used to sweeten the air from the stench of death throughout the plague and
by the 13th century people would make pomanders (apples or oranges) studded with cloves) to ward off
the plague. It was then discovered that cloves were a good antiseptic and gave quick pain relief for
toothaches, a remedy still used to this day. The history of cloves and it's trade is an endless and
very interesting one.
Cloves are are combined well with other aromatic spices like cardamon, cumin and star anise. It is
used in cakes and sweet pasteries and biscuits and also foe savoury dishes like curries and tagines.
Cloves are often used when pickling vegetables and fruit like lemons.
Medicinally, cloves can be used to aid digestion, act as a powerfull local antiseptic and mild
anesthetic eg, toothache.
Certification: ACO
