Cloves

Cloves are the aromatic flower buds of a tree in the family Myrtaceae, Syzygium aromaticum. They are native to the Maluku Islands in Indonesia, and are commonly used as a spice. Cloves are commercially harvested primarily in Indonesia, India, Madagascar, Zanzibar, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Tanzania.

Native to the tiny volcanic islands of Moluccas (now part of Indonesia) today the major exporters are Madagascar, Zanzibar, Pemba and Tanzania. Cloves are the unopened buds of the clove tree and right before these buds blossom they turn a brilliant pink. This is the ideal time to harvest them as they are at their peak aroma and flavor. Each clove tree yields about a 7 pound harvest. Clove buds show in small clusters several times a year, from November to January and July to September. During the drying process they turn from a pink/ reddish color to a dark brown.