Cloves (also known as Laung) are aromatic flowers. They are indigenous to Moluccas Island in Indonesia. They come from Syzygium Aromaticum, an evergreen tree that belongs to the family Myrtaceae.
The name clove is derived from the Latin word clavus meaning nail because of its resemblance to a nail.
Cloves have a darkish colour and a very pungent, spicy, and aromatic flavour. Their scent is often described as strong, woody, and sweet.
It has a superb nutritional profile comprising numerous essential vitamins, minerals, as well as dietary fibres, Cloves have been used for centuries in many different types of cuisines and are also a notable ingredient in Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine.
Cloves used to be very important in the early spice trade. People used to hold them in their mouths to make their breath more pleasant when talking with the emperor. In the 8th century, they started becoming very popular in Europe as well.
The Venetians, the Portuguese, and the Dutch alls became attracted to this flower and began trading it.