Deutsch: Gewürznelke / Indian: Karayampoo/Grambu
Cloves are the aromatic dried flower buds of a tree in the family Myrtaceae, Syzygium aromaticum. Cloves are native to the Maluku islands in Indonesia and used as a spice in cuisines all over the world. Cloves are harvested primarily in Indonesia, India, Madagascar, Zanzibar, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. They have a numbing effect on mouth tissues. The clove tree is an evergreen that grows to a height ranging from 8 - 12 m, having large leaves and sanguine flowers in numerous groups of terminal clusters.
In the food context, clove is a spice that comes from the dried flower buds of the clove tree. It has a warm, sweet and aromatic flavor that is often used in sweet and savory dishes.
Here are some examples of dishes that use clove as a primary ingredient:
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Mulled Wine: A warm spiced wine made with cloves, cinnamon, and other spices.
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Baked Ham: A classic holiday dish that is often studded with whole cloves and baked until tender.
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Gingerbread: A sweet and spicy cake or cookie made with molasses, ginger, and cloves.
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Chai Tea: A spiced tea that typically includes cloves, cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger.
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Pickling Spice: A spice blend that often includes cloves, mustard seeds, and peppercorns, used to pickle vegetables.
Similar spices to clove include:
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Cinnamon: A sweet and spicy spice that is often used in baked goods and sweet dishes.
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Nutmeg: A spice with a warm, sweet and slightly nutty flavor that is often used in baked goods and savory dishes.
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Allspice: A spice with a flavor that is similar to a blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, often used in baked goods and savory dishes.
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Cardamom: A spice with a warm and aromatic flavor that is often used in Indian and Middle Eastern cuisine.
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Star Anise: A spice with a licorice-like flavor that is often used in Chinese and Vietnamese cuisine.