Cloves, Syzygium Aromaticum — Spices of Kerala

March 24th, 2007 | admin

Clove is a small dark red-brown flower bud of an evergreen tree, which is abundant in the state of Kerala. It is known for its strong aroma and spicy, pungent taste. The buds are harvested when the buds are ready to turn flowers. The smell and taste of cloves are simply unmistakable.

The trees grow usually up to 12 meters high and are seen with thick foliage. The leaves are small and appear fleshier than they really are. The buds are dried in the sun. Cloves usually are 13 to 20 mm long.

Cloves appear in a variety of culinary preparations – meat, fish, sauces, bakery products, etc.

There are three different extracts from cloves, among them eugenol accounts for about 90% of the total essential oil extracted, eugenol acetate and beta caryophyllene accounts for the rest. The essential oils are used in the manufacture of mouthwash, toothpaste, etc.

Cloves also have medicinal value. In Ayurveda it is considered an antiseptic. It is beneficial in relieving tooth ache. It is also usable against flatulence, indigestion, nausea, etc.