Cloves

2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29

Clove spice originates from the unopened pink buds of the evergreen carnation Syzygium aromaticum. The buds are peeled by hand while they are still pink and dried to a brownish color. They look like thin, long nails, hence their English name cloves, derived from the Latin word clavus (nail). Their scientific name is Eugenia caryophyllus.

Like other spices, so cloves are available all year round. It is respected for its uniquely warm, sweet and fragrant taste, which it adds to ginger bread, pea soup, bean soup, and why not to baked beans or chili.

Although cloves have a firm appearance, their inner part contains a fatty component, which is essential for its nutritional and taste profile. The clove spice resembles small cloves 1 centimeter long.

History of cloves

Cloves are famous as a spice with a refined taste from time immemorial. Cloves are native to Molucas, known as the Spice Islands in India. It has been consumed in Asia for more than 2,000 years. Due to their sweet and fragrant taste, Chinese courtiers used cloves to freshen their breath when they had to turn to the emperor. Around the 4th century, Arab traders brought cloves to Europe, where, however, it became known only in the Middle Ages.

Although cloves have long been cultivated almost exclusively in Indonesia, today the leading producer is Zanzibar in East Africa. In addition to these two regions, cloves are grown in commercial quantities in the West Indies, Sri Lanka, Madagascar and Brazil.

Composition of cloves

Clove contains and a variety of flavonoids, which also contribute to its anti-inflammatory properties. Like those of its counterparts, the unique phytonutrients of cloves are accompanied by an incredible variety of traditional nutrients. This plant is an excellent source of manganese, dietary fiber, vitamin C, vitamin A, certain amounts of vitamin K and omega-3 fatty acids, as well as calcium and magnesium.

Selection and storage of cloves

• Whenever possible buy whole cloves, not powder, as it loses its aroma faster when ground;

• When pressed with the tip of the nail lightly, the cloves will release a small amount of their oil;

• Another way to recognize a good carnation is to put it in water - if it stands vertically it means it is of good quality, and if it sinks or lies horizontally - it is not;

• If you have the opportunity, choose organically grown cloves;

• Cloves should be stored in a tightly closed glass container;

• Good cloves bend, even when dried. If you press it on paper, it should leave a greasy mark.

Cooking with cloves

• Always be careful what amount of cloves you will put in the dish, as its aroma is quite dense;

• If you want to grind cloves into flour, use a coffee grinder;

• Clove is a suitable spice for soups, broths or baked goods;

• If you add cloves and curry powder to sauteed onions, garlic and tofu you will learn a dish with Indian flair;

• You can season your fruit compotes with this spice and get an extremely good result;

• If you have the opportunity to break cloves, put the caps in the cakes, and in the meat dishes and marinades - the stick.

Cloves are a favorite spice in many countries around the world. Depending on the latitude in which cloves are used, they are used to flavor roasted fish, poultry and other meats. It is included in pickles and in some hot drinks / mulled wine for example /.

Cloves are present in the famous Worcester sauce. Europeans use it to taste dishes with dried fruits, strongly seasoned pastries, and in some cases - red meat and game.

Benefits of cloves

Eugenol, the main component in clove oil, acts as an anti-inflammatory substance. In animal studies, the addition of clove concentrate to a diet already rich in anti-inflammatory ingredients adds significant benefits, in some cases reducing inflammatory processes by another 15-30%.

Cloves effectively reduce iron levels. Scientists believe that cloves help improve the quality and taste of various dishes and hors d'oeuvres, and also have a positive effect on health.

Cloves have the property to strengthen the immune system as it increases the number of white blood cells, which in turn fight the infections and pathogens that surround us. This is due to the high content of vitamin C, which is a powerful antioxidant.

Cloves are often used as a means of improving digestion as they increase the amount of enzymes in the body. It also reduces nausea in various stomach disorders. In addition, the aromatic spice is extremely rich in fiber, which has a beneficial effect on the processes in the stomach. It is best consumed with honey for even better action.

Cloves are famous and with its ability to reduce toothache due to its good analgesic and antiseptic properties. Of course, this is only a temporary solution, but until you manage to go to the dentist you can put a clove on the diseased tooth.

The spice is also very useful for bone and joint health. This is due to the ingredients in it, which increase bone density and even participate in the creation of new bone tissue. They also help transport the necessary materials to the bones.

The antibacterial properties of cloves help eliminate harmful bacteria such as staphylococci. It also maintains the health of the liver, as it helps speed up the processing of medications.

Cloves are very rich of polyphenols - valuable antioxidants that lower cholesterol and high blood pressure, increase the flexibility of arteries and prolong life.

Clove tea has the ability to cure the so-called. traveler's diarrhea, which occurs in many people on the road. Regulates enzymes in the stomach and helps speed recovery. Its antifungal properties have a cleansing effect on the gastrointestinal tract. After only a few intakes, a person's condition improves.

Harm from cloves

Although it is a widely used spice with good culinary and health benefits, cloves also have a dark side to consider. Excessive consumption of the spice is thought to increase the risk of bleeding. Some of the ingredients in cloves suppress the formation of blood, which reduces the ability to clot - this means that if you get a wound, a person will bleed more. The spice is even more dangerous for people with chronic diseases such as hemophilia, as well as for those who take anticoagulants.

People with low blood sugar should also be careful with the intake of cloves. It has been shown to lower the amount of glucose in our blood, which can be extremely harmful for people with hypoglycaemia. Therefore, try to carefully monitor your blood sugar levels and accordingly exclude cloves from your menu if you have any concerns or side effects.

Cloves in large doses can be highly toxic to the body. If stored improperly or taken in larger amounts, symptoms such as sore throat, shortness of breath, nausea and vomiting, and fluid imbalance may occur.

Among the most common side effects of cloves is allergies. The most common symptoms are rash, swelling, urticaria. It is possible for the mucous membranes in the body to become inflamed from excessive amounts of cloves, it can get inflammation of the lips and oral cavity.

Cloves are also not recommended for young children and pregnant women. Although it has a number of beneficial properties, its side effects are dangerous for these two risk groups, which are too vulnerable due to the delicate condition - children who do not yet have a sufficiently strengthened immune system and pregnant women who undergo a number of changes in the body.