Cloves - How To Use
(Also known as Nail spice due to its common translation in most languages and its shape)
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Cloves are sweet, astringent, slightly acidic or bitter and camphorous, with a sharp cooling pungent smell. The name clove originates from the French word for nails "Clou".
Whole cloves are the unopened, dried flower buds of a small, tropical evergreen indigenous to Indonesia. However, they are better known in Western households as part of a fragrant Christmas ornament: an orange, studded with cloves. This spice is also a flavouring component of baked, glazed hams, and is commonly found in pumpkin pies or other sweet treats. Some smokers might be familiar with the clove or kretek cigarettes of Indonesia, cloves and tobacco. Indonesia is the globe's largest producer of cloves, though most of the harvest is grown for said cigarette industry.
What flavours go with cloves?
- Apple
- Basil
- Cinnamon
- Coffee
- Ginger
- Onion
- Orange
- Peach
- Tomato
- Vanilla
Our 17th-century French blend Quatre Épices is the epitome of all-purpose seasoning. It truly lends itself to sweet and savoury dishes. The French literally put it with everything. Cloves lend themselves to fruits like apples and oranges superbly. Thus, these are often used in drinks such as hot whiskey/toddy or mulled wine, where cloves pierce a sweet slice of apple or orange. Cloves work very well with coffee. Our spiced cognac with coffee is one such recipe.
Health Benefits
Cloves are an excellent source of manganese and vitamin K. Continual research suggests that they could boost the immune system, protect against oral and liver disease and aid against indigestion and inflammation. Toothpaste and mouthwash will often include cloves.
Interesting Facts
- Three little Indonesian islands, "The Moluccas" today, known as Maluku, were once renowned spice islands because of a trio of native spices, cloves, nutmeg and mace. They were cultivated there and undiscovered for almost 2,000 years. History tells us that a French man, Pierre Poivre, stole the clove seedlings and brought them to the French island of Mauritius known as "Isle de France" back in the 18th Century and eventually into Zanzibar.
- During the Han dynasty, 206 BC - 220 BC, courtiers would use cloves to sweeten their breath when greeting the Chinese Emperor.
- The Romans used it as perfume and incense. Like most spice commodities, there is a long history of unrest in luxury trade between countries.
- In the Middle Ages, cloves took off as a culinary spice in the West. The Republic of Venice had a monopoly, but eventually, the Portuguese, Dutch, Spanish and British fought a series of wars where the Dutch eventually seized control of this luxury commodity.
- In the 17th and 18th centuries, cloves were as valuable as gold because of their high import costs.
Chief Flavour Compound
Eugenol: (medicinal, woody and warming) colourless dull yellow fragrant oil-based liquid, also found in nutmeg, cinnamon, basil and bay leaf. Cloves have the highest eugenol of all the spices. The flavour profile complements other warming spices such as allspice, liquorice, nutmeg, cinnamon and fenugreek.
Blends to try with Cloves
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Hawaij $12.00Introducing Hawaij - Hawaij has a deep golden hue and a flavorful, complex blend of spices, including caraway and turmeric. It elicits an earthy, rich taste experience with a subtle hint of pepperiness. Hawaij can be described as a daring, Yemeni garam masala. All-natural, salt-free and vegan.Endless culinary adventures - You can use Hawaij as a marinade or rub for poultry or pork. For vegetarian inspiration, try with lentil-style curry dishes, roasted cauliflower or toasted chickpeas. Some of our customers tell us that Hawaij is sublime in chicken or pork escalope with panko breadcrumbs. Fundamentally, Hawaij is an all-purpose seasoning.We mill and blend in-house. We endeavour to use the freshest spices that are within one year from field to jar with a focus on ingredients that come from regenerative farms.
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Mitmita $12.00
Introducing Mitmita - A kaleidoscope of rich, spicy, sweet, and deep flavours that are all-natural, low sodium, and vegan. This spice mix derives from the Ethiopian Empire of Aksum. Featuring the after-heat of Birds Eye chilli peppers, smoky Ethiopian black pepper and undertones of celery salt.
Endless culinary adventures - Traditionally, Mitmita is used as a tabletop seasoning. This all-purpose spice mix adds complexity and balance to everything from a ribeye steak, to burgers, or prawns and poultry. It is perfect as a steak rub, or a barbeque marinade. It can even take a Bloody Mary cocktail to the next level. We recommend adding some fresh chilli if you want to heat up the alchemy even more.
We mill and blend in-house. We endeavour to use the freshest spices that are within one year from field to jar with a focus on ingredients that come from regenerative farms.
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Advieh-E Khoresh $12.00
Introducing Advieh-E Khoresh- Great Taste Award winner-2022. This ancient Persian spice mix derives from the Achaemenid Empire, 6th-century BC. Balance & luxury come together in this deluxe blend with black lime, rose petal and saffron, as the main ingredients. All-natural, salt-free and vegan. Just a pinch of this blend offers incredible depth with an aromatic scent.
Endless culinary adventures - Traditionally, this blend is added to stews, casseroles, and grilled meats such as lamb kebabs, but our customers have also loved it on chicken thigh tray bakes, risotto, and roast potatoes.
We mill and blend in-house. We endeavour to use the freshest spices that are within one year from field to jar with a focus on ingredients that come from regenerative farms.
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Baharat Gulf Of Arabia $12.00
Introducing Baharat Gulf of Arabia - Our grandmothers' have been passing down the secret of our Baharat for generations. Grandma Fátima's Saudi Arabian blend is of silk road origins. There can be several different Baharats depending on the region you come from in the Middle East. All-natural, salt-free, and vegan-friendly. This fragrant and flavour-packed mixed spice of the Arabian Peninsula is sweet, smokey and peppery. Our unexpected ingredient, 'Loomi' (black lime), adds a unique and exotic flavour. A little goes a long way.
Endless culinary adventures - Roast chicken, lamb shawarma, Arabian bread, tomato-based sauces, and rice dishes can benefit from a dash of this incredible spice mix! Our customers have also been using it to add a delicious twist to baked hake and vegetable galette. Give your cooking and baking a unique touch with our Baharat Gulf Of Arabia.
We mill and blend in-house. We use the freshest spices that are within one year from field to jar with a focus on ingredients that come from regenerative farms.
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Advieh-E Halegh $12.00
Introducing Advieh-E Halegh- Award-winning. This ancient Persian spice mix derives from the Achaemenid Empire, 6th-century BC. Advieh-E Halegh offers a tantalizingly delicate fragrance with the delectable sweetness of cinnamon, cloves and rose petals. This blend lends itself to flavours of rhubarb and orange. All-natural, salt-free and vegan.
Endless culinary adventures - This blend is perfect for enhancing a variety of sweet treats like cakes, puddings, biscuits, crumbles and more! Even stir it into breakfast smoothies or overnight oats with grated apple. Get inspired with our Persian rice pudding recipe, or elevate a refreshing orange sorbet.
We mill and blend in-house. We endeavour to use the freshest spices that are within one year from field to jar with a focus on ingredients that come from regenerative farms.
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Advieh Berenj $12.00
Introducing Advieh Berenj - This ancient Persian spice mix derives from the Achaemenid Empire, 6th-century BC. A balanced blend of turmeric, rose petals and other spices that create citrussy, floral and woody notes. All-natural, salt-free, and vegan. Advieh Berenj is sometimes known as Advieh Polo.
Endless culinary adventures - Berenjs mild floral notes have a subtle intensity that elevates rice and pilaf dishes. It can be used in a couscous salad or with quinoa to add a rich aroma and flavour. Customers have also used this blend in a dirty chai latte! This warming spice mix is perfect for the delicious mixed rice dish 'Loobia Polo' and the crispy Persian rice recipe 'Tahdig'.
We mill and blend in-house. We endeavour to use the freshest spices that are within one year from field to jar with a focus on ingredients that come from regenerative farms.
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Quatre Epices $12.00
Introducing Quatre Epices - Discover the remarkable variety of flavours in Quatre Epices - an enticing aromatic French spice mix that dates back to the 17th century. All-natural, salt-free and vegan. Whether you're cooking, baking, or cocktail making, you can depend on Quatre Epices for its diversity, warmth, and woody notes. This blend has highlights of nutmeg and allspice, adding distinct depth to popular dishes.
Endless culinary adventures - Try with classics like roast ham, chicken liver parfait, and casseroles for savoury inspiration. For a natural sweetness, add to porridge, sweet bakes, and desserts - this blend pairs beautifully with apples, rhubarb and orange fruits. Customers have also remarked that this exquisite mixture is the perfect complement to a spiced coffee (freshly ground whole beans), mulled wine or hot spiced cider.
We mill and blend in-house. We endeavour to use the freshest spices that are within one year from field to jar with a focus on ingredients that come from regenerative farms.