Hand-picked cloves are premium, whole spice buds from clove trees, harvested manually at peak readiness, offering superior aroma and flavor for culinary uses like baking, mulled drinks, and savory dishes, prized for their antioxidant properties, with Sri Lankan varieties often noted for quality and plumpness. They’re used whole for infusions (ham, cider) or ground fresh for baking (pumpkin pie, cookies) and spice blends (garam masala), valued for both taste and traditional remedies.
Unopened flower buds: They are the dried, unopened pink flower buds from the Syzygium aromaticum tree.
- Premium quality: The “hand-picked” aspect means they are selected carefully, often resulting in plump, perfect shapes.
Flavor & Aroma:
- Strong & Pungent: They have a distinct, warm, sweet, and intensely aromatic profile.
- Eugenol: The primary flavor compound is eugenol, known for its antibacterial properties.
Common Uses:
- Savory: Studding hams, flavoring rice, curries, stews, and soups.
- Sweet: Baking (pumpkin pie, spice cake, cookies), fruit dishes, and mulled beverages (wine, cider, chai).
- Breath Freshener: Historically chewed for fresh breath.
How to Use:
- Whole: Stud in meats or fruit, add to liquids (remove before serving).
- Ground: Use a mortar and pestle or bag/rolling pin to grind fresh for intense flavor.
Sourcing & Quality:
- Origin: Famous Indonesian Spice Islands, India (Karnataka), Sri Lanka (Matale).
- Certifications: Often available as organic, non-GMO, gluten-free, and Kosher.
