Clove

Cloves are the dried, unopened flower buds of the clove tree, a handsome tropical evergreen related to the eucalyptus family. The tree grows to a height of approximately 40 feet (12 m). It takes seven years before the trees develop the flower buds, which grow in small clusters and turn into beautiful purple flowers if they are not picked, unopened, to be used as a spice. Cloves take their name from the Latin clavus, meaning “nail,” and it is easy to see why, as they have a rounded head set atop a thinner, straight body. This very important spice is widely used to flavor desserts and confections. It originated in the Spice Islands (the Moluccas), a few small islands that had a monopoly on the world’s clove supply for many years. In an effort to protect this standing, the Dutch, after driving the Portuguese from the region in the mid-seventeenth century, destroyed every clove tree except those on a single island. Clove was a popular flavoring across Europe at this time, in savory dishes as well as sweet. The price, however, was considerable, due to the long and risky journey and the monopoly, as no sales were permitted unless the price reached a level set by the Dutch government. Today, clove trees flourish in many tropical maritime climates and are grown as close to the United States as the island of Grenada in the West Indies. Store cloves in an airtight container away from light.