Clove

Clou de girofle

What it is

Chinese courtiers of the Han dynasty held cloves in their mouths before addressing the emperor, so their breath would be worthy. On Ternate, islanders planted a clove tree for each newborn child — the tree and the child grew together.

In the kitchen

An onion studded with two or three cloves, dropped into a broth or béchamel, is the old French trick for depth without visible spice.

Goes with

Onion Apple Orange Pork Rice Honey

Same species

Indonesian bay leaf (daun salam)

Also used with

Assam tea Basmati rice Ammonium bicarbonate Buckwheat honey Chilhuacle negro Damson

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