Carnations

Botanically known as Syzygium aromaticum , they are the dried flower buds of an evergreen tree in the myrtle family (Myrtaceae). Cloves originally come from the Moluccas (Spice Islands) in Indonesia. Today they are also grown in other tropical regions such as Madagascar, Tanzania and Sri Lanka.

Look

The clove tree can grow up to 12 meters tall and has large, shiny, lanceolate leaves. The flower buds, which are used as a spice, are pale at first and turn green when ripe. They are harvested when they are reddish-brown and then dried. Dried cloves are dark brown in color, have a characteristic nail-like shape and a small, spherical head.

Taste and Aroma