Clove spice: beneficial properties and contraindications. How to take cloves and how to use them in cooking. Cloves are used as

What is clove (spice)? How is it produced, what is it used for and what properties does it have? You will find answers to all the questions posed in the materials of this article. In addition, we will tell you about the chemical composition of cloves (a spice) and how it can be used outside of cooking.

General Product Information

Cloves (spice) are the unopened flower buds of the clove tree, which grows in tropical latitudes and belongs to the myrtle family. To use this product, it is first dried, and subsequently (sometimes) ground into powder.

Spice production

Unlike other spices, the technology for producing cloves is not very costly or labor-intensive. The clove tree produces a bountiful harvest twice a year. This makes it possible to harvest large quantities of spices and distribute them throughout the world.

The process of drying the collected buds is very simple. It occurs mainly in the sun. Drying of unopened inflorescences continues until the cloves produce a specific cracking noise when they are crushed.

Due to the fact that the production of this spice requires little money, its price is relatively low.

Aromatic spices (cloves): properties of dried buds

Surely many people know the clove aroma since early childhood. Indeed, when preparing various pickles and marinades, our mothers and grandmothers very often used this spice.

Cloves have a strong, unique aroma and pungent taste. Moreover, the described properties are concentrated in completely different places bud.

The subtle aroma of the spice comes from its cap. As for the burning part, it is located in the petiole. By the way, after drying it should become elastic. Moreover, if produced correctly, the clove petiole will definitely leave an oily mark on the paper (when pressed).

As mentioned above, the spice we are considering is used not only in its whole form, but also in crushed form. However, it should be noted that such cloves very quickly lose their consumer qualities. That's why ground spice quite rarely used in cooking.

Clove seasoning: use in cooking

The spice we are considering is quite widely used all over the world (both in Europe and Asia).

The most common use of cloves is in cooking. It is mainly used for preparing various marinades (fruit and berry, mushroom, meat, fish and vegetable). Also, mixtures of spices, which include cloves, are very often used in fish canning, confectionery and sausage production.

To make sweet dishes (compotes, puddings, confectionery), cooks add cloves and cinnamon to them. For dessert, it is better to use bud heads.

Few people know, but cloves (a seasoning) also add a special aroma to stewed meat (pork, lamb, beef). However, culinary experts recommend combining it with ground black pepper.

Also, this spice is often added to fatty minced meat, strong meat broths and sauces that are served with poultry (turkey, chicken). By the way, to enhance burning properties For spices, it is recommended to use only its stalks.

It should also be said that cloves (a spice) are often added to cigarettes produced in Indonesia.

To obtain a more tasty and aromatic dish, culinary specialists recommend correctly adding the spice we are considering. It should be added to the marinade during the cooking process with other ingredients, and to various soups, broths and compotes only 5 minutes before lunch or dessert is fully prepared.

Cloves (seasoning) convey their aroma and taste equally well to both cold and hot dishes. However, it should be noted that when elevated temperature the spice quickly loses its taste qualities. In this regard, to determine the time of introducing the buds into the dish, it is recommended to follow simple rule: To obtain a more subtle aroma, the spice must be added later.

Other uses

Where else is clove (spice) used? The benefits and harms of this product will be discussed a little further. Now I would like to tell you about where this seasoning is used, besides cooking.

Clove buds are very popular in eastern countries. After all, it is there that they are used as incense. This product is also often used in medicine. Made from cloves essential oil, which is a local irritant, analgesic, cold remedy. It can often be found in various balms and ointments.

Cloves are used quite widely in dentistry. It is used as a component for temporary fillings. The seasoning is also often used in aromatherapy and to repel insects.

Benefits of clove buds

Now you know what cloves (a spice) are. How is it useful for the human body? Experts say that this product is very popular in folk medicine. It is used as an analgesic and refresher. Cloves are also used to combat colds, worms and diseases. gastric tract. To do this, seasoning is not just added to food, but also made into tinctures, decoctions, ointments, etc.

Damage to clove buds

Few people know, but cloves can not only have a beneficial effect on the human body, but also cause harm to it. According to experts, this spice can greatly increase the acidity of gastric juice. As a result, it is strictly forbidden to include it in your diet for those who have a similar problem.

Also, according to some consumers, there have been cases when excessive use of seasoning caused overwork and overstrain of the body.

Knowing the benefits and harms of clove seasoning, many people can easily protect themselves from various diseases, as well as help your own body get well.

Determining the quality of spices

Many chefs complain that choosing high-quality clove buds is becoming more and more difficult. However experienced specialists They claim that there is nothing difficult about this.

To determine the quality of the seasoning, you just need to throw it into a container of water. A high-quality spice should either sink completely or float vertically (that is, with the cap facing up).

If the carnation immediately surfaced and began to float horizontally, then this is the first sign of its Low quality. As a rule, almost all the essential oil from such buds has evaporated.

Chemical composition of seasoning

Speaking about the beneficial properties of cloves, one cannot fail to mention the composition of this seasoning. After all, it is thanks to its components that it, one way or another, affects the human body.

As mentioned above, clove buds contain a large amount of essential oil (about 20%), as well as caryophyllene, glycosides, mucus, oleanolic acid, humulene, tannins and fatty substances, vitamins B2, A, B1, C, PP and such minerals as like sodium, magnesium, phosphorus, calcium and iron.

By the way, essential oil also contains beneficial substances. These are eugenol (about 70%), eugenol acetate (about 13%), caryophyllene and its oxides. In addition, the oil includes beta-myrcene, alpha- and beta-pinenes, ylangene, gamma-selinene, beta-elemene, benzyl alcohol, heptanol, vanillin, etc.

Dear friends, not long ago I was faced with an unexpected question: “cloves are a spice – is it good to chew it?” About the fact that many people can’t do without it culinary dishes is not a secret, but is it worth using it as chewing gum for treatment? Let's figure out what spice cloves have beneficial features and contraindications. From this it will become clear whether it can be used as a medicine for various problems with health.

Probably everyone knows that the spice called “clove” is the buds (flower buds with unopened petals) of the clove tree from the famous myrtle family, which grows in the tropics. They are simply fermented in the sun, after which the aroma intensifies and the benefits increase.

Clove spice - beneficial properties and contraindications

Let's not talk about magical properties of this plant, although they exist, let’s immediately move on to a completely materialistic problem. What is the treatment, benefits and harms of clove spice? They are determined biochemical composition. And he is very rich! It is not for nothing that this plant is included in the official herbal pharmacopoeia of some countries, for example, Great Britain. The most significant substances include:

• phytosterols (256 mg);
• essential oils (up to 20%);
• vitamin A (27 mcg);
• vitamin E (8.53 mg);
• vitamin C (80 mg);
• vitamin PP (1.45 mg);
• vitamin B2 (0.27 mg);
• vitamin B6 (0.59 mg);
• choline (37.4 mg);
• vitamin K (141.7 mcg);
• potassium (1103 mg);
• calcium (645 mg);
• magnesium (265 mg);
• phosphorus (105 mg);
• manganese (30 mg);
• selenium (5.8 µg).

photo of a clove tree during budding and flowering

Medicinal properties of clove spice

Due to the fact that flower buds contain a lot of calcium and magnesium, they improve the synthesis of many enzymes involved in protein and energy metabolism. At the same time, the carbohydrate metabolism, in particular, maintaining optimal sugar levels. This is why cloves should not be ignored by those who suffer diabetes mellitus And . Very often, cloves are included in the top plants for weight loss.

Flower buds of the clove tree are shown in gastritis with low acidity . Biologically active compounds enhance production gastric juice and stimulate digestion, which has a beneficial effect on the functioning of everything digestive tract. As a result, not only digestion improves, but also appetite increases, pain is relieved and healing of wounds on the mucous membrane improves.

Why else do you need to chew cloves? And not only chew, but also use as a spice and infusion for drinks. The carminative, antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory action of the extractive substances of clove buds helps to quickly get rid of inflammation in the large intestine. At the same time, liver condition and tone improves bile ducts. Therefore, for colic and flatulence, fragrant flower buds will come in handy.

The spice has a pronounced antimicrobial effect. This is especially pronounced in relation to white and Staphylococcus aureus, diphtheria and tubercle bacilli. It is advisable to take cloves for a sore throat and other diseases caused by bacteria.

Cloves are good for chewing and brewing into tea. for the flu, as its antiviral properties help delay the development of this disease.

If you are interested in the question of why chew cloves, then dentists can give you a direct answer. The fact is that the bactericidal and analgesic properties of this spice help reduce pain when inflammation of the gums and toothache . If you use it as chewing gum, it is quite possible to eliminate bad smell from mouth.

Since clove buds are rich in B vitamins, they have a good effect on our nervous system. Calming effect fragrant spice is especially useful for those who are often nervous and cannot sleep for a long time.

What else is clove spice useful for? The biologically active complex contains a large dose of eugenol essential oil. It is this compound that causes the carcinogenic effect and is used in complex therapy at cancer treatment.

If you chew several buds at a time, you can raise your blood pressure. That's why hypotension- This is one of the indications for the use of flower buds of a tropical tree.

It is useful not only to chew, but also to brew cloves with milk for vision. For the recipe, take 3 pieces per glass of milk. This use also helps strengthen memory and improve the functioning of brain neurons.

Found in clove buds and benefits for men. At regular use the spice provides all possible assistance in the treatment of erectile dysfunction and prostatitis, and improves sperm quality. The effect is explained by the fact that extra active substances improve blood circulation in the capillaries, relieve swelling and inflammation in the pelvic organs.

Due to the fact that spicy raw materials contain a lot of phytosterols, it good for women, especially during menopause and during childbirth to stimulate insufficient labor activity. Sometimes cloves are also used to normalize the menstrual cycle.

Clove spice - contraindications

Despite widest spectrum The beneficial properties of cloves also have direct contraindications for use. If you do not take them into account, you can cause significant harm to your body. You should not chew cloves often and use them in cooking if you have:

1. Increased stomach acidity.
2. Stomach ulcer and duodenum.
3. High blood pressure.
4. Increased uterine tone during pregnancy.
5. Feeding the baby with breast milk.
6. Individual intolerance.

How to take cloves and how to use them in cooking

Is chewing cloves beneficial? I think you have already understood that in the absence of contraindications, the answer is definitely positive. The beneficial properties of cloves appear even with a small dose - just take 1-2 buds. Clove gum will be more beneficial if you add another teaspoon of honey to it.

Chewing cloves on an empty stomach is beneficial for improving digestion. If you do this after eating, then this effect will be blurry, but you can achieve sanitation oral cavity, which is also good.

Different parts of spicy buds have varying degrees aroma: the so-called petiole is more pungent, and the “cap” itself has a mild aroma. But if you chew the spice or put the entire bud in dishes and drinks, then this subtlety will not be noticeable.

First and second courses

If you are going to cook meat (lamb, pork, chicken, turkey), sauces, broths, then take not the whole bud, but only its leg. This seasoning will give the dish a richer and stronger burning aroma. To enhance this effect, you need to add more black pepper.

The more subtle the clove flavor you want, the later you add the spice to the dish.

Desserts and drinks

If you use clove buds for confectionery delights and compotes, then take only the caps. They will create a more delicate aroma. In such dishes, the overseas spice goes especially well with cinnamon. Some drinks are good without additional spices. For example, try making tea with cloves - the aroma is very unique.

How to choose a quality spice

There are several rules that are useful to follow if you decide to buy quality cloves. They are as follows:

1. The petiole of the buds should be elastic. If you press it across the paper, it leaves an oily trace. This indicates high-quality fermentation of the spice.
2. Try throwing cloves into water with force. If they drown or float vertically with the bud up, then this indicates that the quality is high. If they float horizontally on the water, this means that the heavy essential oils have already been lost and there is no point in using the spice for treatment or cooking.
3. You only need to buy whole buds. Ground cloves lose their healing properties very quickly. Therefore, even at home, if you have ground a spice, do not store it for a long time.

I hope that the information about the beneficial properties and contraindications of the fragrant spice of cloves was useful to you. You can choose the method of application for yourself. Some people like to chew cloves, others will prefer to flavor dishes with it, and others will prefer hot tea or mulled wine with aromatic additives. The main thing is that the chosen option improves your well-being and brings pleasure.

Good health to you! Nadezhda Goryunova

The unusual-looking buds of the clove tree are famous not only for their pungent taste and spicy aroma, but also for their therapeutic effect. This spice has been used in recipes for a long time. traditional medicine for the prevention and even treatment of certain diseases. So, about the unique medical properties unopened buds of the Syzygium clove tree we read in this article.

Chemical composition of fragrant cloves

Just one bud, but what a variety useful substances! Chemical composition carnations are unusually large. Its beneficial properties are explained high content vitamins, minerals and, of course, essential oil.
Vitamins of clove buds: provitamin A (beta-carotene), B vitamins (B1, B2, B3 or PP, B4, B6, B9), vitamin C ( ascorbic acid), vitamin E (tocopherol) and vitamin K (phylloquinone). Clove contains useful minerals: potassium, calcium, sodium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, manganese, copper, selenium, zinc.
It contains a considerable amount of Omega-3 and Omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids.
20% of one bud is essential oil containing aromatic substances eugenol, caryophyllene, ylangene, etc.
The same amount in cloves and tannins, and also glycosides and mucus.
If we consider the content of proteins, fats and carbohydrates, then cloves contain 6% proteins, 20% lipids, and about 27% carbohydrates. Approximately 30% of the spice is fiber.

8 Health Benefits of Cloves

It's no surprise that cloves are a powerful medicine, just look at their composition.

Actions of cloves:
1. bactericidal;
2. anthelmintic (helminthic);
3. antifungal (fungicidal);
4. pain reliever;
5. antispasmodic;
6. wound healing;
7. carminative (for flatulence)
8. anti-carcinogenic.

Many people are afraid of cloves pathogens: for example, Staphylococcus aureus and white, diphtheria bacillus and even the pathogen anthrax etc. Fragrant cloves suppress the proliferation of tuberculosis bacillus. Cloves can be used effectively to prevent influenza.

When eating cloves, the production of digestive juices is stimulated, which is useful for gastritis with low acidity and decreased appetite. But in case of high acidity and stomach ulcers, the use of this remedy is contraindicated.

Cloves are used to treat inflammation in the large intestine (colitis), intestinal colic, flatulence ( carminative effect), diseases of the rectum, liver.

When industrial pharmacies were widespread, special dental painkillers and bactericidal agents with eugenol, which is part of fragrant cloves.

This spice can relieve toothache, has a beneficial effect on gums, and is used for gingivitis and periodontitis. Dried clove buds - great alternative chewing gum, because neutralizes harmful bacteria and eliminates bad breath.

B complex of vitamins, which is so necessary for our nervous system, can be obtained from your favorite spice. It is no coincidence that clove extract is included in German drug Doppelhertz Melissa, which has a calming effect.

Due to the eugenol it contains, cloves effectively fight growth cancer cells. This was shown latest research scientists in the field of anticarcinogenic agents.

Surprisingly, cloves have two opposite effects at once: it tones and relieves spasms. She can relax and tone at the same time. On the one hand, cloves can relieve muscle spasms gastrointestinal tract, on the other hand, to tone the muscles of the uterus and raise arterial pressure(therefore, cloves are contraindicated for people with arterial hypertension). The whole question, as always, is in the dosage.

Has excellent properties

Recipes

• A great recipe for heart health is mulled wine, which is prepared using fragrant cloves. There are many recipes for mulled wine, but cloves and cinnamon are most often used. Usually mulled wine is boiled, but it is more effective to infuse cloves without boiling for several weeks, since when heat treatment its vitamins and aromatic substances evaporate and are destroyed. It is better to take 0.5 liters of high-quality red wine (not powdered), add 5 clove buds to the bottle, and add a little cinnamon if desired. Seal tightly with a stopper and leave in a dark place for 3 weeks. Take 1 teaspoon with tea 1-3 times a day.
• For problems with the oral cavity, toothache, inflammation of the gums, stomatitis, and bad breath, it is useful to chew clove buds. The same actions will prevent the onset of a sore throat.
• To stimulate digestion, 15 minutes before meals, carefully chew 1-2 buds of cloves with 1 teaspoon of honey. However, this is contraindicated for stomach and duodenal ulcers, as well as high blood pressure.
• For hypotension, you can also chew several clove buds, the effect will be no less than that of caffeine.
• Clove oil is effective in treating pustules and boils. Apply 1 drop of concentrated essential oil to the boil. At problem skin take baths with clove essential oil.
• Clove oil is widely used for arthritis and arthrosis. It helps relieve pain and inflammation. To do this, massage the sore joint with diluted clove essential oil (1 tablespoon massage oil 15 drops of clove essential oil).
• There are traditional medicine tips for preparing decoctions from the buds of the clove tree. However, the medicinal value of such drugs will be small, since heat treatment destroys the substances that make up the buds.

How to choose a clove

A brittle, overly dry bud indicates a lack of essential oils. When you throw a high-quality kidney into water, it floats vertically, with its stem down, or sinks to the bottom of the glass. If the “clove” lies horizontally on the surface of the water, then there are no essential oils in it. Such cloves are not suitable for medicinal purposes.

You can find seasonings in any housewife's kitchen. Among them there will definitely be cloves. These are small dark brown sticks with spherical shape. The seasoning is loved for its bitter, spicy taste and rich aroma. It is an integral part of many culinary masterpieces.

A little history

If you get acquainted with the composition of this spice, it will become clear that it is no coincidence that people attributed to it healing properties. Cloves contain a fair amount of B vitamins, vitamins A and E, which give youth and beauty to the skin, and vitamin K, which promotes blood clotting. It also contains zinc, potassium, phosphorus, sodium, calcium, selenium, copper, manganese, and iron. 100 g of product contains 20 g of fat, 6 g of protein, 27 g of carbohydrates, 34 g of fiber, 6 g of water. Clove consists of 20% essential oil. It is often included in perfumes or eau de toilette. Looking at the composition of the spice, it can be compared to a multivitamin. However, it has beneficial properties and contraindications. IN medicinal purposes it must be used carefully.

Harm of cloves

There is no doubt about the obvious benefits of this spice, but not everyone can use it. As you know, cloves (a spice) have beneficial properties and contraindications.

1. The spice should not be eaten by pregnant and lactating women, as well as children under two years of age.
2. It is contraindicated in patients with hypertension.
3. For people with gastrointestinal problems, cloves (useful properties and contraindications are discussed in the article) are not recommended. The use of seasoning should be limited to those who suffer peptic ulcers, gastritis with increased acidity, increased fatigue, overvoltage.
4. One should not forget about the beneficial properties and contraindications of cloves when using clove oil for medicinal purposes. It is taken internally at full stomach no more than three drops per day, washed down big amount water.

Cloves in medicine

Due to its composition, this spice is still popular among lovers of traditional medicine. But she does not tolerate careless treatment. Like any medicine, clove (spice) has beneficial properties and contraindications. Treatment must be carried out carefully, strictly following the recipe.

1. Arthritis. Add 5-7 drops to your regular massage and rub it on the sore joint.
2. Ear ache. Take a glass, throw 5 clove buds into it and boil for 15 minutes. Cool. Place 3 drops into the sore ear three times a day.
3. Digestive problems. Add a pinch of ground cloves and black pepper to a teaspoon of honey. Should be taken before meals twice a day. People with gastrointestinal problems should use seasonings such as cloves with caution. Beneficial properties and contraindications must be taken into account equally. It is better to consult a doctor before starting to use a folk remedy.
4. Inflammation of the eyes. Grind 1 clove bud. Combine the powder with water to make a paste. Apply it to the affected eye. Treatment is carried out over several days.
5. Cold, cough, runny nose. Grind the cloves to a powder and mix it with a teaspoon of honey. Eat the mixture very slowly, slowly dissolve.
6. Cholera. In Asia, this disease is treated with clove decoction. Add 5 spice buds to three liters of water and boil to 1 liter. The resulting decoction is drunk until recovery occurs.
7. Toothache. Chew 1 clove bud for a couple of minutes. The same method will help freshen your breath.

Cloves (spice): beneficial properties and contraindications. Recipes in cosmetology

Cloves are unique in their properties. It is often found in creams, lotions, and balms. It can also be used at home. But no matter how good cloves are, the beneficial properties and contraindications must be taken into account when using it.

You can make a refreshing mask. Take a tablespoon of pharmaceutical clay and cream (you can use milk) and mix with three drops of clove and mint oil. Add a teaspoon of honey if desired. Mix the ingredients until smooth. Apply the mixture to your face and leave for 5 minutes. Wash your face with water and lubricate your skin with nourishing cream.

Clove oil will help get rid of pimples, blackheads, and wounds. Soak it lightly cotton swab, wipe problem areas of the skin. Do the procedure 1 time daily. Clove oil will help make your skin firmer. Take a portion of the day cream sufficient for one application and add 1 drop of oil to it.

For oily skin Mix 2 drops of clove essential oil with a teaspoon of cosmetic oil. Apply daily. Using spice in for cosmetic purposes, you need to remember that cloves have beneficial properties and contraindications. Recipes must be strictly followed, otherwise you may get severe burns.

Cloves in cooking

The traditional way to use cloves in the kitchen is to prepare vegetable, meat, and mushroom marinades. The spice gives dishes a piquant taste and is an excellent preservative. It goes well with cabbage and other vegetables, meat, fish, and perfectly complements soups and broths, and cold appetizers. It is added during stewing with whole buds. To prepare fried dishes, use it in ground form. Confectioners do not ignore the spice. It is included in recipes for compotes, punches, mulled wine, puddings, sweets, gingerbreads, and cookies. It is best to combine the spice with cinnamon so that the taste of cloves is not hot. Cloves are added while kneading the dough. For 1 kg it is enough to put 2 buds. No more than 2 buds per 1 liter are added to drinks. During cooking, add cloves to the most last moment. It cannot be boiled, otherwise it will lose its wonderful aroma. If you add too many cloves, the dish may taste too sweet and even bitter. If the dish contains vinegar or alcohol-containing products, then this seasoning cannot be added. The food will taste bitter. When using multiple seasonings in a recipe, cloves should be one-seventh of them. total number. Otherwise, it may drown out the taste and aroma of other spices.

How to select and store

It's better to buy it whole ground spice spoils quickly and is not as fragrant. The color of the carnation should be red-brown, the bud should be oily, and the branch should be flexible. The more dried out the cloves look, the older they are. Its aroma and taste are not as rich as fresh cloves, but they can be used for food. To check for the presence of essential oil, you need to put the buds in a container of water. A good carnation will be held vertically with the head facing up. If the spice lies horizontally, then it is very old. Store cloves in a tightly closed container in a dry, dark place.

Cloves are often used in perfumes. The famous composition Paloma Picasso contains this spicy note in its aroma. Perfumers call clove the queen of spices.

The spice was not popular in the Soviet Union. It was replaced with coluria, which tastes similar.

The spice clove and the carnation flower are not related. The seasoning is grown from the seeds of a tree of the myrtle family, which grows exclusively in the tropics. Cloves are a unique natural product because they are used in different areas life: cooking, medicine, cosmetology. It is necessary to take into account all the points when using a spice such as cloves - the beneficial properties and contraindications must be studied comprehensively.

23.01.2018

Here you will learn everything about cloves: what health benefits this spice has, contraindications for use, how it is used in cooking. It is one of the highly prized spices, widely recognized throughout the world for its medicinal and culinary qualities. Find out more about cloves - what they are, what they are made from, what their benefits are and possible harm and all about its use in the culinary and medical world.

What is clove?

Cloves are the dry, reddish-brown, unopened flower buds of a tropical evergreen tree that are used as a herb with a strong aroma and a sweet-sharp, warming taste. Widely used in Indian, Middle Eastern and North African cooking.

It pairs beautifully with the flavors of apples, oranges, ham, pork and chocolate, as well as other spices such as cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and cardamom.

Cloves are also an ingredient in many spice mixtures, such as baharat, Chinese five-spice, curry, garam masala, and others.

What clove seasoning looks like - photo

The whole spice has the shape of a small reddish-brown spike, usually about one centimeter in length, with a bulbous top.

general description

This spice has nothing in common with the clove flower; the clove seasoning is the flower buds of the evergreen tropical clove tree, which is found on the Indonesian Moluccas islands, known as the “spice islands”.

Botanically, clove spice belongs to the Myrtaceae family, genus Syzygium and is scientifically called Syzyigium aromaticum.

The name "clove" comes from French word clou, meaning “nail,” is what this spice resembles in appearance.

On early stages During development, the flower buds are pale in color, then gradually turn green and finally develop into bright red carnation buds at harvest time. The buds are usually picked by hand when they are 1.5-2cm long, then polished before being sent for sale.

How does the spice clove grow?

The clove tree grows to approximately 9 meters tall.

Structurally, each bud consists of a long calyx, ending in four flaring sepals and four unopened petals. These closed petals develop into a small ball (dome) at the top.

The sweet aroma of cloves comes from the essential oil of eugenol it contains.

Cloves are grown in India and Madagascar, but if there is one country on earth that is most closely associated with the production of this spice, it is Indonesia.

How to obtain clove seasoning

Unopened flower buds of the clove tree are collected from plants older than 6-8 years. A good harvest does not happen every year.

The spice is collected by hand, so as not to damage the branches, and dried in the sun. As the buds dry, the color of the buds changes from pale to dark brown. The drying process cannot be accelerated, otherwise the cloves will become dry and brittle rather than elastic.

How to choose clove spice and where to buy

A good clove is red-brown in color and should give off a sweet aroma when squeezed between the large and index fingers and be oily to the touch,

This spice is often sold in the spice department in stores in whole and ground form. Buy whole cloves instead of powder, as they can often contain adulterated spice additives. The buds should be whole, with a stem and sepals, and compact.

Organic clove seasoning (that is, grown in clean places without harmful substances) can be purchased in the IHerb online store.

How to store

Whole cloves should be stored in a cool, dark place in closed containers for many months. They can be ground using a “hand grinder” or in a coffee grinder as needed.

Store ground cloves in the refrigerator in jars with a tight-fitting lid and use them as quickly as possible, as they have a shorter shelf life and quickly lose their flavor.

What is the smell and taste of clove seasoning?

Both the taste and aroma of this spice are incredibly intense. Cloves can suppress all other ingredients in dishes, even if taken in small quantities.

It has one of the most powerful aromas of all the world's spices. The taste is pungent, strong and sweet with a bitter, astringent aftertaste. Cloves also have a distinct pungency, almost burning for some. This spice is very strong! The pungency is concentrated mainly in the petioles of the bud. The most subtle aroma is in the cap.

Eating cloves leaves a sensation in the mouth similar to that of nutmeg. Combination of cloves and nutmeg It is very popular in spice mixtures and in specific dishes, as their flavors are similar and complement each other well.

Chemical composition

While cloves are usually known for their mouth-watering taste and aroma, they are also packed with vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients which are necessary for the health of the body.

Nutritional value of ground cloves (Sygizium aromaticum) per 100 g.

Physiological role

It is known that the active substances in cloves have the following effects on the body:

• antioxidant;
• antiseptic;
• local anesthetic;
• anti-inflammatory;
• soothing;
• antimicrobial.

Health benefits of clove spice

Back in 200 BC. Cloves were known for their beneficial properties and even today they continue to be used to treat illnesses and promote health.

The spice contains the healthy essential oil eugenol, which gives cloves a pleasant, sweet aroma. It has local anesthetic and antiseptic properties and is therefore useful for dental and oral care.

Other important components of this spice include:

• essential oils - acetylevenol, β-caryophyllene and vanillin, maslinic acid;
• tannins: gallotanninic acid, methyl salicylate (painkiller);
• flavonoids: eugenin, kaempferol, rhamnetin and eugenitin;
• triterpenoids: oleanolic acid, stigmasterol and campesterol;
• several sesquiterpenes.

The beneficial substances in cloves increase intestinal motility and digestive ability through improved gastrointestinal enzyme secretion. Thus, it helps eliminate digestive problems and constipation.

The spice also contains a large amount of minerals - potassium, manganese, iron, selenium and magnesium. Potassium is an important electrolyte in cells and body fluids that helps control heartbeat and pressure. Human body uses manganese as a cofactor for the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase.

The spice buds contain very good amounts of vitamin A and beta-carotene. These compounds have antioxidant properties. The body also needs vitamin A to maintain healthy mucous membranes, skin and healthy vision. Consumption natural products, rich in flavonoids, helps protect the body from lung and oral cancer.

Spice cloves - good source vitamins K, B6 (pyridoxine), B-1 (thiamine), C and riboflavin. Consuming foods rich in vitamin C helps the body develop resistance to infectious agents and eliminate harmful oxygen-free radicals.

Top 10 Health Benefits of Cloves

Here are some popular medicinal properties that cloves have:

1. Improves digestion by stimulating the production of enzymes and the production of gastric juice. Cloves are also good for reducing flatulence, indigestion and nausea.
2. Effective against bacterial infections. Cloves have been tested for their antibacterial properties against a number of human pathogens. It is powerful enough to kill these pathogens. Clove extract is also effective against specific bacteria that spread cholera.
3. Anticancer and antimutagenic effect. Cloves are of interest to the medical community due to their anti-carcinogenic properties. Tests have shown that they are useful in fighting lung cancer in the early stages.
4. Protects the liver. Cloves contain high amounts of antioxidants, which are ideal for protecting organs from the effects of free radicals, especially the liver. Clove extracts are beneficial for the liver due to their hepatoprotective properties.
5. Useful for diabetes mellitus. In patients with diabetes, the amount of insulin produced by the body is either insufficient or non-existent. Research has shown that clove extracts mimic insulin in certain ways and help control blood sugar levels.
6. Maintains density bone tissue. Cloves contain eugenol and its derivatives, such as flavones, isoflavones and flavonoids. They are useful for maintaining bone density and mineral content, and for increasing the tensile strength of bones in cases of osteoporosis.
7. Boosts the immune system. Clove helps in improving immune system by increasing the number of white blood cells, thereby improving delayed-type hypersensitivity.
8. Anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. Research shows that the presence of eugenol reduces inflammation caused by edema. It has also been confirmed to have the ability to reduce pain by stimulating pain receptors.
9. Treats diseases of the oral cavity. Cloves can be taken for gingivitis and periodontitis. Bud extracts significantly control the growth of pathogens that are responsible for various diseases oral cavity. Cloves are also used for toothaches due to their analgesic properties.
10. Aphrodisiac properties. Spices such as cloves and nutmeg are said to have aphrodisiac properties and have shown positive results in tests.

IN food products and in drinks, cloves are used as a flavoring agent, and in industry they are used to make toothpaste, soap, cosmetics, perfumes and cigarettes. Clove oil is also used in aromatherapy.

Why chew dried cloves - video

Clove essential oil

Clove oil is commonly used for oral health treatment due to its antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, which help in avoiding bad breath and mouth problems.

It is also used as a skin care product and as an aromatherapy oil.

Clove essential oil must be diluted base oil to avoid allergic reactions.

High-quality essential oil can be purchased from a world-famous online store IHerb.

Contraindications (harm) of cloves

In addition to the powerful benefits of this spice, cloves also have some contraindications and possible side effects that can cause significant harm.

1. It is recommended to avoid consuming too much large quantity cloves for people suffering from hemophilia or taking anticoagulant medications. It is also recommended to stop taking this spice a couple of weeks before surgery. It contains eugenol, which can slow down the blood clotting process, promoting abnormal bleeding.
2. Those whose blood sugar levels are below normal should reduce their consumption of cloves. It has been found that the spice can significantly reduce the amount of glucose, which can cause harm to patients with hypoglycemia. Therefore, try to keep a close eye on your blood sugar levels and adjust your clove intake accordingly.
3. Eating foods prepared with large amounts of cloves can cause irritation of the gastrointestinal tract and disorders of the central nervous system.
4. Contraindicated in case of individual intolerance. Allergies are one of the most common side effects cloves, which again is caused by eugenol.
5. In men, cloves can cause erectile dysfunction or premature ejaculation.
6. During pregnancy, the use of cloves is contraindicated, as it increases muscle tone and there is a danger of uterine contractions.
7. Do not apply clove oil to your skin before going straight out. Sun rays, as this will cause serious burns and other skin problems.
8. Applying clove oil on damaged skin, you can get heavy allergic reactions and damage it even more.

Like all other spices, cloves should be consumed in moderate amount. If you experience any of these side effects, stop using it.

Use of clove spice in cooking

Cloves can be used either whole or ground to flavor sauces, soups and rice dishes. There are many popular recipes, which require the addition of cloves.

Whole cloves are either removed before serving or discarded from the plate. Even after cooking, this spice has a very hard, woody texture.

Where to add clove seasoning

Here are some ideas:

• In gravies and sauces for fish, poultry, meat.
• It goes well with apples - it is added to apple sauce, pies or other baked goods with apples.
• Ground cloves are used in muffins, cookies, gingerbreads and other spices.
• Used for preparing marinades (mushroom, fruit and berry, meat, vegetable).
• Masala tea gets most of its characteristic flavor from cloves.
• Cloves go well with meat, liver pate, jellied meat and jellied tongue.
• Cucumbers, cabbage, mushrooms, peppers, pumpkin, carrots, beets and others are marinated with it.
• A mixture of grated cloves with nutmeg and marjoram is used to flavor sausages and baked pork.
• It is added to coffee, cocoa, compotes, and jam.

When to put cloves in a dish

Cloves are added to various dishes at different times:

• in marinades - during their preparation along with other components;
• into dough and minced meat - before heat treatment;
• V meat dishes– 10-15 minutes before readiness;
• into broths, soups, compotes - 3-5 minutes before the end of cooking.

Cloves should not be added at the beginning of the cooking process to dishes that require long-term cooking. This spice conveys its aroma and taste well not only in hot, but also in cold water, and colors it brown. When boiling, its smell begins to evaporate, and the taste of the dish becomes bitter. That is why the more subtle the aroma of cloves is desired in a dish, the later it is added.

Be careful with the dosage of cloves, especially when preparing pastries.

How many cloves to add: bookmark standards

You can add about 4-5 cloves per 1 kilogram of dough. If it includes other spices, it can be from 1/5 to 1/7 parts.

For 1 kg of cottage cheese – 2-3 ground or 4-5 cloves.

For 2-2.5 glasses of liquid (compotes, soups, broths) – 1 pc., no more than 3 pcs. per 1 liter.
For 1 serving of meat - 2 pieces, and when frying, cloves are used in ground form, and when stewing as a whole. If other spices are added at the same time, the amount of cloves is halved.

In mushroom marinades – 1-2 grams per 10 kg of mushrooms.

For fruit, berry and vegetable marinades - 3-4 grams per 10 liters of pouring.

When used in the right amount, cloves can take your dishes to the next level of culinary excellence!

How to replace cloves in a recipe

Cloves are a fairly common and affordable spice that most cooks have in stock, but when they unexpectedly run out, there are options to replace it.

For example, an excellent replacement carnations can become:

• Nutmeg is the best option of all possible substitutes for cloves. It is equally aromatic with a wonderful and unique taste that is very similar to cloves. Add the same amount of nutmeg as called for in the recipe. It is ideal for all types of dishes, both sweet and savory.
• Allspice is also a worthy alternative to cloves. To use this substitute, simply add it in the same amount. This spice has a unique flavor and contains notes of black pepper that may be undesirable in sweets, for example.
• Cinnamon – This has more spice and less sweetness than other possible clove substitutes, so depending on what kind of dish you're making, you may need to add another ingredient to create the right flavor. For example, in desserts, cinnamon goes well with vanilla. Again, the amount of cinnamon (or cinnamon plus vanilla) should be equal to the amount of cloves called for in the recipe.

In addition to its strong aroma and memorable taste, cloves are renowned for their powerful medicinal properties. Here you learned about some contraindications for eating food and everything about its culinary use.