One of the earliest known spices in trade, the dried, aromatic flower buds produced by this medium-sized tree are familiar to many of us as a common kitchen spice.

Clove contains several volatile oils, the most significant of which is eugenol that comprises up to 90% of the total oil produced. Eugenol has numerous medical and commercial applications and continues to be extracted primarily from clove buds, though it can also be extracted from the leaves of the clove tree and from some other plants, such as allspice (Pimenta dioica), in smaller quantities.

Clove was originally found only on the Maluku Islands of Indonesia, but in the 17th century fierce competition between warring European nations that sought control of the spice trade eventually led to clove trees being transported all over the world for cultivation.

The historical importance of clove in international trade means it is now grown in numerous locations throughout the tropics including Indonesia, Zanzibar, Madagascar, Sri Lanka and parts of the Caribbean. More recently, clove production has begun in the Brazilian state of Bahia. Clove grows best on tropical mountain slopes at lower elevations as part of a mixed forest. Many of the islands to which they are native are volcanic.

One of the earliest known spices in trade, the dried, aromatic flower buds produced by this medium-sized tree are familiar to many of us as a common kitchen spice.

Clove contains several volatile oils, the most significant of which is eugenol that comprises up to 90% of the total oil produced. Eugenol has numerous medical and commercial applications and continues to be extracted primarily from clove buds, though it can also be extracted from the leaves of the clove tree and from some other plants, such as allspice (Pimenta dioica), in smaller quantities.

Clove was originally found only on the Maluku Islands of Indonesia, but in the 17th century fierce competition between warring European nations that sought control of the spice trade eventually led to clove trees being transported all over the world for cultivation.

The historical importance of clove in international trade means it is now grown in numerous locations throughout the tropics including Indonesia, Zanzibar, Madagascar, Sri Lanka and parts of the Caribbean. More recently, clove production has begun in the Brazilian state of Bahia. Clove grows best on tropical mountain slopes at lower elevations as part of a mixed forest. Many of the islands to which they are native are volcanic.