Cloves
The clove tree which is an evergreen, is a native of the Spice Islands and Indonesia, but now grows in other parts of the world like Pakistan, Vietnam, Sri Lanka and India where it is called lavang. The clove tree can grow from 20 to 30 feet in height.
Clove or cloves are the dried buds of the flower from the syzygium aromaticum or clove tree of the myrtaceae family. Cloves have a very spicy, pungent, aroma and are almost warm to the taste. Cloves are used whole or ground, in the making of teas, relishes, candy and even in the making of flavoring for cigarettes and for incense in the Orient.
The clove can be used whole to add a spicy flavor to ham or pork roasts, soups and cooked fruit dishes.Cloves that are ground can be used to supplement or enhance the flavors of baked foods, puddings, drinks, stuffing's, hot drinks and spiced wine.
Cloves are also used for traditional medicinal purposes in China and southern Asia. Cloves are most often used as a pain killer or remedy for dental problems. It serves to decrease pain and has an antiseptic quality.
Ground cloves is used in the assortment of spices called garam masala, a type of curry powder, which is used a lot in cuisine from India. Ground cloves, as a spice is used in a wide variety in many cuisines from many cultures in many ways.