Cloves are the most pungent and oily of all spices. They are the unopened buds of the clove tree and have a hot, sharp, bitter flavor. They will easily overpower other flavours, so they must be used very carefully. Cloves are used around the world in both sweet baking and in savory foods and are an important component of many spice blends like garam masala, five-spice powder, ras el hanout.

All about Cloves, Spice

What it’s like, and how to make it

HeatNo heat
CuisineIndian & south & asian, american & canadian
Best forBaking sweet, braising, slow cooker, smoking, marinades rubs
Goes inBaked goods desserts, curry dal, beverages cocktails, pickling preserving
WithPork, venison, wild boar, lamb, duck fowl
What’s in itcloves

How to use it

Stud an orange for pomanders, press into a ham for roasting, or drop 3–4 into mulled wine, chai, or pickling brine. Simmer in broth for pho or biryani. Always remove before serving — biting into a whole clove is an experience most people don't want. Crush lightly with the back of a knife to release more flavor faster. A little goes a very long way — an eighth of a teaspoon in pumpkin pie, a quarter teaspoon per batch of gingerbread. Stud a ham or onion with whole cloves for braises. Stir a pinch into chili or tomato sauce for mysterious depth. Cloves overpower easily, so start small and taste as you go.

  • Cloves, Whole spice, shown over a chalk-and-watercolour illustration
  • Illustration: Cloves, Whole with Ternate in the North Moluccas
  • Illustration: Cloves, Ground with a timber-framed Tudor farmhouse hall on Christmas Eve
  • Illustration: Cincinnati Chili, made with Cloves
  • Illustration: Pot-au-Feu, made with Cloves
  • Illustration of Cloves, Whole in The Tea & Spice Shoppe bag and jar, with Ternate in the North Moluccas
  • Illustration of Cloves, Ground in The Tea & Spice Shoppe bag and jar, with a timber-framed Tudor farmhouse hall on Christmas Eve
  • Cloves - Ground - The Tea & Spice Shoppe
  • Cloves - The Tea & Spice Shoppe

What it goes with

Eugenol is a natural analgesic and antimicrobial. Steep with our Throat Coat for sore throat relief, our Hibiscus for cardiovascular antioxidant stacking, or our Immune Boost during cold season. Traditional Ayurvedic respiratory support.

Where it takes you

Christmas MorningOne whiff and you're seven years old. Cutting Chai on the Platform

Also in these blends

On its own, this is the straight thing. It also goes into these blends, each made for a different evening. Read about Cloves →

Reviews

What the time-travelers say

206 of the shop’s 213 reviews are five stars — left by people who actually bought the tea

Write a review

No reviews of this one yet.

If you have had it, you would be the first to say so — and the shop reads every one.

Write a review
Jamaican Curry Powder

Great products and great service

I had a slight mix up on my order, they were quick to reply and correct my order with no issues. Amazing service and great…

I had a slight mix up on my order, they were quick to reply and correct my order with no issues. Amazing service and great products.

— Nick C. Verified

Peach White, Organic

Great tea

A lovely, delicate tea. The peach is strong without being overwhelming or cloying, and the calendula is a nice addition. Very…

A lovely, delicate tea. The peach is strong without being overwhelming or cloying, and the calendula is a nice addition. Very tasty!

— Zoe R. Verified

Maple Peach

Maple Peach

The maple peach is delicious. What a beautiful combination. I will most definitely order it again, and a higher quantity of it.

— Gerda S. Verified

Dill Weed

Always handy

I use dillweed often. This dill is fresh and has a nice aroma. I use it in marinades, salad dressings, and on fish. Good stuff.

— Jennifer D. Verified

Detox Tea, Organic

Great stuff

This has helped my household a lot with circulation and alertness when we had it everyday. Will be ordering again soon. Thanks

— Dave G. Verified

Blueberry Bang Rooibos

Love this tea. Hands down my fav rooibos. This store is our one-stop-shop for tea and spice. Great service, top notch product.…

Love this tea. Hands down my fav rooibos. This store is our one-stop-shop for tea and spice. Great service, top notch product. 10/10!!

— Erin Poeta P. Verified

English Breakfast Decaf

Delicious

I love this black tea, it has a really nice smooth flavour and love how it’s Swiss water method decaf. Will be buying again!

— Jessica A. Verified

Toffee Olé

Great flavorful tea

Toffee Ole is one of our favorite teas to share with friends in the evening, when we want something non-caffeinated but quite…

Toffee Ole is one of our favorite teas to share with friends in the evening, when we want something non-caffeinated but quite flavorful.

— Joel R. Verified

Assam Estate CTC BOP

Another full bodied ‘real tea’ . ie It is not a flavoured tea. However, we do very much enjoy the Cafe Latte tea which is a…

Another full bodied ‘real tea’ . ie It is not a flavoured tea. However, we do very much enjoy the Cafe Latte tea which is a flavoured tea!!!

— Ted H. Verified

Ayurvedic Throat Coat

teas

love , love, love and they shipping is very fast. the headache tea works great, the throat coat tea works great as well

— Miranda A. Verified

Ayurvedic Breathe Deep

4 stars

It worked beautifully; perhaps if I add a little more honey, it would make it better… It is a wellness tea, after all!

— Merrilee B. Verified

Bancha, Organic

Bancha with a splash of lemon

A wonderful Green Tea. Smooth in taste. Also suitable as a summer tea with a splash of lemon. A second infusion makes an…

A wonderful Green Tea. Smooth in taste. Also suitable as a summer tea with a splash of lemon. A second infusion makes an enjoyable second cup!

— Monika F. Verified

View product

Explore

Other ways in

Home The front door — what the shop has, how it reaches you, and where a cup can take you, in one scroll. Start here Collections Every shelf in the shop on one page — teas by leaf and flavour, spices by kind and cuisine. Open any shelf to see what is on it. Browse the shelves The Showroom The whole shop on one floor — every tea, spice and blend, filtered by what you are after, with the basket beside you. Open the Showroom Elsewhere Short trips — a place, a moment, a feeling — each with the teas and spices that get you there. Take a trip Ingredients Every plant, seed, bark and salt in the shop on one page — what it is, why it is in the blend, and where it comes from. See them all Local Delivery & Shipping How it reaches you — free Calgary delivery over $60, one flat rate for every province, and what happens if it is wrong. See the rates