Most household pantries hold an array of spices to add flavour and colour to everyday and special meals.
Generally defined as any seed, fruit, root or bark, they can be used fresh and whole, after drying, grating, chopping, crushing, or grinding. They can also be found in medicines, cosmetics, perfume and incense.
Spices are distinguished from herbs which are the leaves, flowers, or stems of plants used as a garnish or also as flavourings.
This month we look at cloves, the immature, dried flower buds of the Syzygium aromaticum tree, native to Indonesia.
Deriving is name from the Latin word for nail – clavus, because of its shape – this aromatic spice goes by many names in different languages.
They have been used in Chinese cuisine for thousands of years and in Europe since the Middle Ages. African, Mediterranean and both near and Middle Eastern countries are among those which also use cloves in cooking.
High in nutrients and antioxidants, they are commonly used in dishes as diverse as roasted ham, and corned beef through to apple crumble, pears and rhubarb and even in mulled wine. They are also found in meat rubs and marinades, sauces and jams plus some baked goods.
Also used to give aroma and flavour to hot beverages, cloves are often combined with ingredients such as lemon and sugar but, go easy on their use as they can easily overpower.
While their medicinal value has not been ascertained, there is some evidence that clove oil may relieve toothache.
Interestingly, Zanzibar (in East Africa) is often referred to as the Island of Cloves, known as that because it produces cloves. Also mentioned in the ancient texts of India, where it was known as the ‘divine flower’, cloves (once a luxurious product) are also linked to the Hindu goddess Lakshmi who symbolised beauty, wealth and fortune.
Cloves are associated with several myths as they were once believed to be imbued with the magical powers of protection and love. They were also burned as incense to attract financial abundance. Furthermore, it was thought that burning cloves as incense would stop others from gossiping about you – not a bad thing!
