Flavor Profile
Ground cloves are sweet and spicy with a pungent aroma that pairs well with allspice.
How to Use
Use ground cloves to season apples, fruit, cakes, salads, squash, and pot roast. Ground cloves benefit many dishes as an ingredient, but be sure to use a light hand when seasoning, as the flavor of cloves can easily be overpowering
About The Spice
Native to the Molucca Islands (also known as the Spice Islands), cloves are also produced in Madagascar, Indonesia, Brazil, and Zanzibar. The first trip around the world took three years and was partially motivated by the search for cloves.More Information
Ground Madagascar Cloves Q&A
What are ground cloves?
Whole cloves are the unopened flower buds of the clove tree (Syzygium aromaticum) which are harvested when they are immature then dried. Ground cloves are the dried, finely ground powder version of whole cloves.
What do ground cloves taste like?
Ground cloves are sweet and spicy with a pungent aroma that pairs well with allspice.
What are ground cloves used for?
Though they have a strong flavor and should be used in small amounts so as to not overpower other flavors, ground cloves are a great addition to both sweet and savory dishes. They are an essential part of Pumpkin Pie Spice. Cloves are often used in desserts like apple pie as well as pickling and mulling spice mixes, curries, rice, and in slow cooking broths and stews.
Cooking With Ground Cloves
Cloves are an essential ingredient to many dishes, but use a light hand as its flavor can easily be overpowering. Also use caution when using cloves in a dish that is left to stand, as they produce sharpness in the flavor. Ground cloves are a key ingredient to Chinese Five Spice. They can also be added to beef and pork dishes. Ground cloves combine well with apples, fruit cakes, salads, sweet potatoes, squash and pot roasts.
Other Names
Syzygium aromaticum
Lavanga
Dietary Information
Salt-Free
MSG-Free
Nut-Free
Dairy-Free
Gluten-Free
Onion-Free
Garlic-Free
Black Pepper-Free
Corn-Free
Capsicum-Free
Sweetener-Free
Sugar-Free
Sesame-Free
Vegetarian
Vegan
Featured in these recipes
View all recipesSpice up your holiday cookie platter with pfeffernusse cookies, also called peppernuts. Known for being spiced with cinnamon, cloves, allspice, and a pinch of black pepper, these delightful bites are like extra-spiced gingerbread. Serve coated in powdered sugar and make a double batch--once you eat one, it's hard to stop!
Spice up your holiday cookie platter with pfeffernusse cookies, also called peppernuts. Known for being spiced with cinnamon, cloves, allspice, and a pinch of black pepper, these delightful bites are like extra-spiced gingerbread. Serve coated in powdered sugar and make a double batch--once you eat one, it's hard to stop!