Cloves / Laung

Cloves are the dried flower buds of an evergreen tree native to the Maluku Islands, or Moluccas, in Indonesia. They have been used as a spice and a medicine since ancient times and were highly valued in the spice trade. Cloves have a strong aroma and a pungent taste, and are used to flavor foods, drinks, and consumer products.

History

Cloves are believed to be native to the Maluku Islands (Moluccas), an archipelago in Indonesia historically known as the “Spice Islands”. The name “clove” derives from French clou, a nail, as the buds vaguely resemble small irregular nails in shape.

Cloves were one of the most precious spices in the world, and were traded along the ancient spice routes from Asia to Europe and Africa. They were used by the Chinese, Indians, Persians, Romans, and Egyptians for various purposes, such as perfuming the breath, flavoring food and wine, preserving meat, and treating ailments.

Cloves were also a symbol of wealth and power, and were often used in ceremonies and rituals. For example, cloves were burned as incense in temples, studded on oranges as pomanders, and worn as garlands by brides.

Health Benefits

Cloves have many health benefits, thanks to their antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties. Some of the benefits of cloves are:

• They contain important nutrients, such as manganese, vitamin K, fiber, and eugenol, a compound that acts as a natural antioxidant.
• They may help protect against cancer, by inhibiting the growth of tumors and inducing cell death in cancer cells.
• They may help regulate blood sugar, by improving insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism.
• They may help protect the liver, by enhancing its function and reducing oxidative stress.
• They may help fight bacteria, by killing pathogens that cause cholera, oral diseases, and infections.
• They may help improve digestion, by stimulating the secretion of digestive enzymes and reducing nausea and dyspepsia.
• They may help support oral health, by relieving toothache, gum inflammation, and bad breath.
• They may help cure respiratory infections, by clearing the airways and easing coughs and colds.
• They may help relieve headaches, by acting as a natural painkiller and anti-inflammatory.
• They may help reduce stress, by calming the nerves and improving mood.
• They may help treat wounds, by preventing infection and promoting healing.
• They may help support healthy bones, by increasing bone density and preventing osteoporosis.
• They may help treat acne, by killing bacteria and reducing inflammation.
• They may help promote youthful skin, by preventing premature aging and enhancing collagen production.
• They may help prevent stomach ulcers, by inhibiting the growth of H. pylori bacteria and protecting the stomach lining.

Uses in Indian Cooking

Cloves are widely used in Indian cooking, both whole and ground, to add flavor and warmth to dishes. Some of the ways to use cloves in Indian cooking are:

• They are used to make spice mixes, such as garam masala, which is a blend of cloves, cardamom, cinnamon, cumin, coriander, and black pepper.
• They are used to make spice rubs, seasoning blends, spice mixtures, and marinades, for meat, fish, and seafood dishes.
• They are used to make rice dishes, such as biryanis and pulao, which are flavored with cloves, cardamom, cinnamon, bay leaves, and saffron.
• They are used to make soups and stews, such as lamb rogan josh and Kerala coconut chicken curry, which are enriched with cloves, ginger, garlic, and other spices.
• They are used to make sweets, desserts, and baked goods, such as kheer, halwa, ladoo, and carrot cake, which are sweetened with cloves, cardamom, nutmeg, and other spices.
• They are used to make beverages, such as tea, coffee, and hot chocolate, which are spiced with cloves, cinnamon, ginger, and other spices.
• They are used to stud meat, such as ham and pork, to infuse them with flavor and aroma.
• They are used to ramp up vegetable dishes, such as aloo gobi and baingan bharta, which are seasoned with cloves, cumin, turmeric, and other spices.

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