Buy Cloves Online

Typically, every Indian household uses an assortment of aromatic spices and herbs in the daily preparation of food. Cloves, popular for their unique yet sweet fragrance, are often used in a range of sweet and savory dishes to introduce a hint of pungent aromatic taste. When used as clove powder, this spice can easily overpower your taste-buds. For this reason, it is advisable to use just a pinch or a clove leaf in the preparation. For a delightful culinary experience with the best quality organic cloves, scroll through the extensive section on BigBasket and get the spice delivered to your doorstep. Where does this spice come from? Originating from the Myrtaceae (Syzygium aromaticum) family of trees, a clove is the aromatic flower bud that is native to Indonesia’s the Maluku Islands. The spice is commonly harvested in India, Zanzibar, Madagascar, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Pakistan and Indonesia. An evergreen tree, the long clove sapling grows to about 12m in height and is identified by its sanguine flowers and large leaves terminally clumped together. Resembling tiny iron nails, the clove buds are hand-picked and derive their name from clavus, the Latin word for ‘nail’. The sweet-smelling flower buds exhibit a pale hue that eventually turns green before transitioning into a bright red palette, indicating its readiness for harvest. Popularly used to flavour curries, meats, soups and marinades, this spice in the form of pure clove oil served with fruits such as pears, apples and rhubarbs. When added to hot beverages containing sugar and lemon, cloves provide an aromatic and exhilarating tasting experience. What are the benefits of using cloves? In addition to its aromatic flavour, cloves, a versatile spice is known for its potent medicinal properties. Studies have found that the components of this spice help increase liver health and stabilise blood sugar levels. • The benefits of cloves are many including its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory property. Eugenol, the compound found in high amounts in this spice, allows your body to fight against common infections or inflammation. Rhamnetin and Kaempferol are other similar compounds in clove that help boost immunity. • Cloves reduce mucus formation as an expectorant and soothe an itchy throat. Ideally, the spice is added in hot teas to subside coughs as well. • With its high amount of antioxidants presence, ingesting this spice can aid in fighting off free radicals and oxidative damage. • Clove oil is used in clove toothpaste to freshen bad breath and treat other oral conditions such as periodontitis and gingivitis. Also, this miracle spice minimised pain from the cavity when kept in the mouth and chewed on for a long period of time. Clove oil for teeth is an all-natural alternative as a bottle of mouthwash that leaves behind a sweet taste rather than the burning bitterness from chemical mouthwashes. For a regulated clove oil price, check the BigBasket catalogue! • The age-old reason for using cloves is to promote active digestion by reducing gas pressure and regulating stomach discomfort after a heavy meal. • For all your acne woes, clove spice can be ground into a mask containing honey and lemon juice to keep your skin clear, soft and supple. How to buy and store the spice? It is advisable to buy clove, cardamom and other spices as a whole rather than in powder form to avoid losing the flavour quickly. Store the spice in a sealed container in a dark, dry area. Identify good quality cloves by squeezing the bud with your fingernail for it to release some of its oil/ or, you could also place the cloves in a cup of water to see if it floats vertically. If it sinks, the spice is stale and shouldn’t be bought. Avoid all this hassle by buying a pack of whole clove clusters from BigBasket with just a few clicks!