Insights from Nature

Cloves are a fragrant spice made from the dried flower buds of the clove tree, native to the Spice Islands near China. Historically, cloves were highly valued and traded extensively, becoming integral to European and Asian cuisines during the late Middle Ages. Today, cloves are used both whole and ground in various culinary applications. Ground cloves are often included in spice mixes, while whole cloves are used to impart depth and flavor to dishes like curries.