$3.00
Cloves - Whole - Organic
Warm, fragrant, and intensely aromatic, whole cloves are a classic spice for both the tea cabinet and the kitchen. These dried flower buds have a bold sweet-and-spicy flavor with woody notes and a gently numbing finish.
Use whole cloves in chai, mulled cider, herbal tea blends, baked goods, curries, rice dishes, marinades, pickling brines, and seasonal simmer pots. Their strong flavor goes a long way, so only a few cloves are needed in most recipes.
Botanical Name: Syzygium aromaticum
Flavor Profile: Warm, sweet, spicy, woody, and slightly bitter with an intense aroma.
Brewing Instructions:
Add approximately 2–4 whole cloves per 8 ounces of water. Cover and gently simmer for 5–10 minutes, then strain. Enjoy alone or combine with cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, orange peel, black tea, or other herbs and spices.
Culinary Use:
Add whole cloves to soups, sauces, curries, rice, marinades, pickling brines, mulled drinks, and baked recipes. Remove whole cloves before serving unless the recipe directs otherwise.
Simmer Pot Use:
Combine cloves with citrus peel, cinnamon, apples, cranberries, or evergreen sprigs and gently simmer in water to create a warm seasonal aroma. Simmer-pot mixtures are for fragrance only and should not be consumed.
Naturally caffeine-free.
Ingredient: Whole cloves.
Safety Information: Cloves are generally used in small culinary amounts. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before using larger or concentrated amounts if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication—particularly blood-thinning or diabetes medication—preparing for surgery, have a bleeding disorder, liver condition, or another medical concern.
This product is whole cloves and is not concentrated clove essential oil. Clove oil can be harmful if swallowed in excessive amounts, especially by children.
Sold by the ounce. Select the desired quantity before adding it to your cart.
This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are whole cloves?
Whole cloves are the dried, unopened flower buds of the Syzygium aromaticum tree. They are used as a culinary spice and as an aromatic ingredient in teas, chai, mulled drinks, and simmer pots.
What do cloves taste like?
Cloves have a bold, warm, sweet-and-spicy flavor with woody notes, slight bitterness, and a gently numbing finish. Their flavor is very concentrated, so only a small amount is needed.
Do cloves contain caffeine?
No. Whole cloves are naturally caffeine-free. A tea blend containing cloves may still have caffeine if it also contains black tea, green tea, yerba mate, or another caffeinated ingredient.
How do I make clove tea?
Add approximately 2–4 whole cloves per 8 ounces of water. Cover and gently simmer for 5–10 minutes, then strain. Adjust the amount of cloves or simmering time to suit your taste.
What herbs and spices blend well with cloves?
Cloves pair well with cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, nutmeg, star anise, orange peel, apple, hibiscus, black tea, rooibos, and many other warming herbs, fruits, and spices.
How can I use whole cloves in cooking?
Add whole cloves to curries, rice dishes, soups, sauces, marinades, pickling brines, baked recipes, mulled drinks, and spice blends. Remove the whole cloves before serving unless the recipe directs otherwise.
Can I grind whole cloves?
Yes. Whole cloves may be ground in a dedicated spice grinder or with a mortar and pestle. Their oils are strong and aromatic, so clean the equipment thoroughly after grinding.
Can I use whole cloves to make chai or mulling spices?
Yes. Whole cloves are a classic ingredient in chai and mulling blends. Combine them with ingredients such as cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, star anise, orange peel, or black pepper.
Can I use cloves in a simmer pot?
Yes. Combine cloves with citrus peel, cinnamon, apples, cranberries, or evergreen sprigs and gently simmer them in water for a warm seasonal aroma. Simmer-pot mixtures are for fragrance only and should not be consumed.
Can whole cloves be steeped more than once?
Yes. Whole cloves may be steeped a second time, although the resulting flavor will be milder. Refrigerate previously used cloves promptly and reuse them within a short period.
Are whole cloves the same as clove essential oil?
No. Whole cloves are a culinary spice, while clove essential oil is a highly concentrated product. Clove oil requires different handling and can be harmful if swallowed in excessive amounts, especially by children.
Can I use cloves or clove oil for a toothache?
Cloves have a long history of traditional use in oral-care preparations, but this product is sold as a whole culinary spice and is not intended to treat dental pain. Do not place concentrated clove oil directly in the mouth unless directed by a qualified dental professional. Tooth pain should be evaluated by a dentist.
Can I use cloves while pregnant or nursing?
Cloves are commonly used in small culinary amounts. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before using larger or concentrated amounts during pregnancy or nursing.
Can cloves interact with medication?
Consult a qualified healthcare professional before using cloves in larger or concentrated amounts if you take medication, particularly blood-thinning or diabetes medication, or if you are preparing for surgery.
Who should use extra caution with cloves?
Consult a qualified healthcare professional before using larger or concentrated amounts if you have a bleeding disorder, liver condition, diabetes, or another medical concern. Keep cloves and clove oil safely stored away from children and pets.
How should I store whole cloves?
Store whole cloves in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, heat, and moisture. Keep the package tightly closed to help preserve their strong flavor and aroma.