Product Introduction
Clove is a widely used spice and medicinal herb, also popular in food, beverages, perfumes, and oral care products. It is an evergreen tree with narrow leaves and fragrant flowers. The flower buds start as reddish-brown and become purple-brown when mature.
The main sources of clove's aroma are its flower buds and essential oil, which have a rich fragrance and distinctive flavor that adds unique taste to food and beverages.
Clove contains eugenol, gallic acid, and vanillin, which give it a characteristic scent and pharmacological properties.
Aromatic Components
The aroma of clove primarily comes from its chemical components, eugenol, gallic acid, and vanillin. These compounds give clove its intense, spicy scent, often described as warm, spicy, and slightly sweet.
Product Varieties
Clove is mainly available as dried flower buds and essential oil. The flower buds are the most common form, frequently used in cooking and seasoning. The essential oil is distilled from clove and has a more concentrated fragrance.
Clove can also be found in forms like clove powder and clove oil, which are used in various fields and for different applications.
Usage Scenarios, Dosage, and Applications
Clove is widely used in cooking and seasoning. It can enhance the flavor and aroma of pastries, meat dishes, coffee, tea, and other beverages, adding a warm and spicy note.
Clove is typically used whole or ground into powder, with quantities adjusted according to recipes and personal taste preferences. It is recommended to follow recipe guidelines for best results.
Additionally, clove is popular in the perfume industry, oral care products, and chewing gum, valued for its refreshing and long-lasting aroma.
Source Plant Introduction, Distribution, and Growing Environment
The clove tree is an evergreen species native to the Moluccas Islands of Indonesia. It is now widely cultivated across tropical and subtropical regions around the world.
Clove trees thrive in sunny, well-drained environments and grow well in moderately moist soil.
Harvesting, Processing, and Storage
Clove flower buds are usually harvested when mature. After harvesting, the buds are sun-dried or otherwise processed.
To maintain freshness and quality, clove should be stored in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight. Keeping cloves in a sealed container can extend their shelf life.
