Clove

Origin
Native to the Moluccas. Also Zanzibar, Pemba, Madagascar, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Indonesia.

Flavor
Very strong smell, burning taste.

General benefits
Analgesic, warms, stimulates digestion, fights nausea, causes uterine contractions, antiseptic.

Ayurvedic properties
Suitable for the three Dosas.

Culinary uses
The burning taste goes well with stewed fruit, desserts, baked apples and mulled wine. It is also good in dishes of red or green cabbage, ham or game, that would be heavy to digest. Ground, it accompanies gingerbread and sausage as well as curries. Its powder has a powerful taste, so it must be dosed sparsely. It enters into the composition of the Four Spices.