Is native to the North Moluccas, the Spice Islands of Indonesia. The Chinese wrote of cloves as early as 400 BC. and there is a record from 200 BC of courtiers keeping cloves in their mouths to avoid offending the emperor while addressing him.
Cloves can easily overpower a dish, particularly when ground. Historically been used in Indian cuisine as well as Mexican cuisine. Cloves are used in cheeses, often in combination with cumin. Its essence is commonly used in many perfumes. During Christmas, it is a tradition in some European countries to make a pomander from cloves and oranges to hang around the house. Bouquet: Warm, pungent and aromatic.