What is clove?

Clove is a tiny, strong-flavored piece that comes from a special tree, kind of like how chocolate comes from cacao beans.

Imagine you have a little spice tree in your garden. When it’s time to make clove, the tree gives you small, oval-shaped buds, like little buttons, right at the top of its branches. These buds are clove before they’re picked.

If you touch clove, it feels a bit like a dried-up raisin, squishy but firm. If you smell it, it’s warm and spicy, kind of like the scent of cinnamon mixed with pepper. Some people say it reminds them of the inside of a hot cup of tea or coffee.

When you cook with clove, it adds flavor, not too sweet, not too sour, but just right. It’s used in things like apple pie, mulled wine, and even some cookies. You can also chew on whole cloves like a tiny snack, they’re kind of like the spicy version of a candy. Clove is a tiny, strong-flavored piece that comes from a special tree, kind of like how chocolate comes from cacao beans.

Imagine you have a little spice tree in your garden. When it’s time to make clove, the tree gives you small, oval-shaped buds, like little buttons, right at the top of its branches. These buds are clove before they’re picked.

If you touch clove, it feels a bit like a dried-up raisin, squishy but firm. If you smell it, it’s warm and spicy, kind of like the scent of cinnamon mixed with pepper. Some people say it reminds them of the inside of a hot cup of tea or coffee.

When you cook with clove, it adds flavor, not too sweet, not too sour, but just right. It’s used in things like apple pie, mulled wine, and even some cookies. You can also chew on whole cloves like a tiny snack, they’re kind of like the spicy version of a candy.