Cloves

Written by Lee Wyatt (last updated March 6, 2020)

Of all the different spices used in cooking, perhaps the spiciest of the spicy is the clove, or Eugenia caryophyllata as it is called in scientific circles. This wonderfully aromatic spice originally came from the Moluccas Islands, which are commonly known as the Spice Islands. As seems to usually be the case with most of the spices around the world, the history of the clove is filled with bloodshed. However, there is a slight twist in the history of the clove. That twist was that the original inhabitants of the Moluccas Islands weren't fighting to prevent the trade of cloves, but rather for control of the clove trade.

When growing in the wild, the evergreen clove tree has beautiful blossoms which range in color from pink to a bright red. However, what is exceptionally interesting is that the masculine plant (which tends to be the most sought after) is actually pink in color, as opposed to the bright red. Cloves are used around the world in many different ways. In fact, the clove isn't only used for cooking. Some of the interesting ways that this great spice is used includes being used as an ingredient for perfumes, as a natural anesthetic, an additive for soaps, and as an ingredient in many kinds of cigarettes. Most commonly though, cloves are used as ingredients in everything from cooking hams, to flavoring hot chocolate and coffee drinks.

One of the largest problems that people have when using cloves to cook is in learning how to balance the powerfully aromatic spice with the other ingredients. For example, if you were wishing to use little bit of cloves to enhance the flavor of your hot chocolate, you would want to use only a pinch. If you are looking to balance some of the strong flavors that onions can impart, then try using a clove. Keep in mind though that the clove can easily overpower the taste of the onion, so if you are looking for a nice equilibrium of the two flavors, then you should only use single clove, instead of the several that you might think were necessary.

Author Bio

Lee Wyatt

Contributor of numerous Tips.Net articles, Lee Wyatt is quickly becoming a regular "Jack of all trades." He is currently an independent contractor specializing in writing and editing. Contact him today for all of your writing and editing needs! Click here to contact. ...

MORE FROM LEE

Picking a Truck Bed Liner

One of the most useful features of any truck is the bed. As it is one of the most useful features, it is one of the most ...

Discover More

Providing Proper Support for Wall Plants

If you are thinking of planting some wall plants, then you need to make sure that the plants receive the proper amount of ...

Discover More

Spring Cleaning Your Office

Whether it is time for spring cleaning or not, periodically spring cleaning your office can have a dramatic effect on ...

Discover More
More Cooking Tips

Turmeric

Turmeric is very similar in many ways to its cousin, saffron. Similar in color, texture, and taste, turmeric also has ...

Discover More

Great Taste without Salt

Sometimes salt isn't the healthiest way to go with your cooking, so you need to find ways to season your food without ...

Discover More

Pepper

Pepper is a wonderful spice that has a great bite to it. Unlike many of the other spices, pepper can be used equally well ...

Discover More
Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is 4 + 3?

There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)