Cloves Picture
Cloves are the immature unopened flower buds of a tropical tree. When fresh, they are pink, but turn to a brown color when dried. Cloves have a strong, sweet, aromatic taste.
Cloves have many health benefits. They contain 20% essential oil, eugenol (an anesthetic) which is a very strong antiseptic. Clove oil is sueful for toothache relief and can be applied to an aching tooth for immediate relief. Cloves are strong stimulant and used to treat nausea, indigestion and dyspepsia.
Clove is an important ingredient of garam masala. Clove is an important spice for many vegetable curries, rice biryani pulao and other dishes.
Nutritional Values of Cloves
Parameters | Value per 100g |
| Moisture Protein Fat Minerals Fibre Carbohydrates Energy Calcium Phosphorus Iron | 25.200 gm 5.200 gm 8.900 gm 5.200 gm 9.500 gm 46.000 gm 286.000 K cal 740.000 mg 100.000 mg 11.700 mg |
| Vitamins | |
| Carotene Thiamine Riboflavin | 253.000 µg 0.080 mg 0.130 mg |
| Minerals & Trace Elements | |
| Magnesium Copper Manganese Zinc Chromium | 130.000 mg 1.010 mg 4.750 mg 1.470 mg 0.056 mg |
Source: National Institute of Nutrition, ICMR, Hyderabad, India
Tips for Storing Cloves
Buy whole dried clove buds. Cloves are best bought whole. Store the powder of cloves in an airtight container, keep out of direct light.