Cloves

He name clove is derived from the french word 'clou' meaning nail, which is the shape that the bud and stem resemble. Cloves are the dried flower buds of a tropical evergreen tree belonging to the 'myrtaceae' family. Today, in madagascar, brazil and vietnam, it is primarily grown as a cash crop. Cloves have a natural antiseptic effect and are used widely in medicines and as a prominent ingredient in indian and asian cooking.
Clove- on of the 'big four' - clove is one of what the spice world calls 'big four' along with cinnamon, nutmeg and pepper - and shares with them the adventurous history that revolves around all the spices from the orient. Clove is an essential ingredient in world cuisine and of course, an interesting part of indonesian 'kretek' , which gives off a distinctive aroma and flavour when smoked.