Clove
- This article is about spices, the word clove is also used to describe a segment of a head of garlic and a clove hitch is a useful kind of knot.
Cloves are the aromatic dried buds of a tree (Eugenia caryophyllata also sometimes Syzygium aromaticum, Myrtaceae) native to Indonesia, used as a spice in virtually all the world's cuisine.
The name derives from French clou, a nail, as the buds vaguely resemble small irregular nails in shape.
Cloves are harvested primarily in Indonesia and Madagascar.
Uses
Cloves can be used in cooking either whole or in a ground form, but they are extremely strong so use them with caution. The spice is used throughout Europe and Asia and is smoked in cigarettes in Indonesia and in occasional coffee bars in the west.
Active compounds
Essential oil of clove has anesthetic and antimicrobial qualities, and is sometimes used to ameliorate the pain of a bad tooth. It, or its main component eugenol, is used by dentists to anesthetize the gum before injecting Novocaine or similar anesthetics, and is the characteristic odor of a dentist's office.
See also
