Cloves – Aromatic gems from Zanzibar to Europe
Zanzibar is an island near Tanzania known for its beaches, culture, wildlife and famous spices like cloves. This article will explore the use of cloves in Zanzibar, in Europe and everyday cooking, along with some recipes and some fun facts to spice up your knowledge.
Clove
Clove is a strong and aromatic spice that comes from the flower buds of the clove tree. Cloves offer a warm and sweet flavour, complemented by subtle hints of spice and a robust, pungent aroma. They play a crucial role in various spice blends, including garam masala and pumpkin spice. Additionally, cloves enhance the delightful essence of mulled wine and desserts like apple pie and gingerbread. Beyond sweet treats, these aromatic buds lend their distinctive flavour to savory dishes such as stews, curries, and marinades.
Cloves: Aromatic gems from Zanzibar to Europe
Cloves in Zanzibar
Origin: Cloves (Syzygium aromaticum) are the rich, brown, dried, unopened flower buds of an evergreen tree. These trees may be found in the Spice Island of Zanzibar.
- Economic Impact: In Zanzibar, cloves play a pivotal role in the economy. They are one of the major cash crops, contributing significantly to foreign exchange earnings.
- Production: Zanzibar produced over 3,000 tons of cloves in 2020, fetching more than $18 million. These aromatic buds are harvested when fully grown but not yet open, then sun-dried for sale.
- Value-Addition: Cloves, along with seaweed, provide a key value-addition avenue. However, most of the production remains sun-dried, limiting the potential for higher value products1.
Some Zanzibar recipes that use clove are:
- Zanzibar clove chicken: Clove chicken is a chicken dish that is marinated and cooked with cloves and other spices, such as garlic, ginger, onion, and chili. Zanzibar clove chicken is a version that uses Zanzibar cloves, which have a more pungent and smoky flavor than regular cloves. Zanzibar clove chicken is also marinated and cooked with coconut milk, tomato paste, and lemon juice, to create a creamy and tangy sauce. Zanzibar clove chicken is a spicy and succulent dish that can be served with rice, bread, or salad.
- Zanzibar clove tea: Clove tea is a hot drink that is made with cloves and water, and sometimes sweetened with honey or sugar. Zanzibar clove tea is a version that uses Zanzibar cloves, which have a more intense and fragrant flavor than regular cloves. Zanzibar clove tea is also infused with cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger, and sweetened with honey or brown sugar. Zanzibar clove tea is a warming and soothing drink that can help ease sore throat, headache, and nausea.
🌶️Spicy Fact: Did you know that cloves were once believed to be the first form of a breath mint in ancient China during the Han Dynasty? They freshened the air during times of plague when the stench of death was overpowering2.
~ Blue Spices Zanzibar
Cloves in Europe
- Flavor: Cloves possess an incredibly powerful flavor—one of the strongest in the world! Their taste is strong, warming, sweet, and slightly medicinal or fruity.
- Pairings: Cloves marry well with other spices such as allspice, bay, cardamom, cinnamon, fennel, ginger, and nutmeg.
- Global Influence: While used in recipes across Europe and other continents, they also find particular prominence in Middle Eastern, Indian, and North American cooking.
- Moderation: Remember to use cloves sparingly; their distinct flavor can easily overpower a dish.
Interesting facts from Germany
- Import Volume: Germany imports whole cloves, with the highest volume reaching 1,100 tons in 2020.
- Value: The imported cloves amounted to €7.1 million in 2022.
- Re-Export: Approximately 27% of the imported cloves are re-exported to other countries3.
🌶️ Spicy Fact: Cloves played a pivotal role in the success of explorers like Christopher Columbus and Ferdinand Magellan. Their quest for these aromatic gems led them to discover new lands and shape history2.
~ Blue Spices Zanzibar
In Summary
In summary, from the sun-drenched shores of Zanzibar to the spice-laden kitchens of Europe, cloves continue to weave their aromatic magic, enriching both cultures and economies.