Cloves are small, but their flavor is anything but. With their warm spice and intense aroma, these dried flower buds bring bold character to everything from baked goods to braised meats. Whether you're seasoning rice, spicing cider, or building your own spice blend, cloves are one of those pantry essentials that turn simple meals into something memorable.

In this guide, we’ll show you how to use cloves in everyday cooking — with tips, techniques, and recipe ideas that spotlight their flavour without touching on health claims.

What Do Cloves Taste Like?

Cloves have a sweet, pungent, and almost peppery profile. Their boldness comes from eugenol — the same compound that gives them a warm, slightly numbing feel on the tongue. You’ll pick up hints of cinnamon, allspice, and nutmeg — but more intense.

Think of cloves as a spice that brings richness and depth. You don’t need much to make an impact, but a pinch can completely transform a dish.

Whole vs. Ground Cloves: What’s the Difference?

Both forms serve different purposes in the kitchen:

• Whole cloves work best in slow-cooked dishes where you want a gradual infusion of flavour — think stews, rice, or spiced drinks.
  
  
• Ground cloves blend easily into batters, spice rubs, and dry mixes where you need even distribution and a stronger presence.
  
  

Tip: Whole cloves can be removed before serving. Ground cloves stay in the dish, so go easy — a little goes a long way.

How to Use Cloves in Cooking

Cloves aren’t just for holiday baking. You can use them in both sweet and savoury meals to build warmth, spice, and complexity.

Here are common ways to use cloves in your kitchen:

1. Add to Braised Meats & Stews
   Drop a few whole cloves into slow-cooked beef, lamb, or chicken. They add earthy depth, especially when combined with cinnamon or star anise.
   
   
2. Spice Up Rice and Grains
   Toast 2–3 whole cloves with rice, cardamom, and bay leaves before adding water. This works beautifully in pilafs and biryanis.
   
   
3. Warm Up Baking Recipes
   Ground cloves shine in gingerbread, spice cookies, and pumpkin pie. Use sparingly alongside cinnamon and nutmeg for classic warmth.
   
   
4. Infuse Beverages
   Simmer cloves in apple cider, tea, or mulled wine. They’ll release their bold aroma slowly and create a comforting drink.
   
   
5. Build Your Own Spice Blends
   Use ground cloves in dry rubs, chai masala, garam masala, or five-spice blends. The key is balance — too much and they’ll overpower.
   
   

How Much Clove Should You Use?

Start small. Cloves are intense.

• For ground cloves, 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon is usually enough for most recipes.
  
  
• For whole cloves, 2 to 3 per serving is a good place to begin.
  
  

Pro Tip: If you're simmering whole cloves in a dish, count them so you can remove them later.

Cooking Techniques: Toast, Steep, or Simmer?

Cloves offer different notes depending on how you use them:

• Toasting: Toast whole cloves in a dry pan for 30–60 seconds to bring out their oils and deepen the aroma.
  
  
• Steeping: Steep whole cloves in warm liquid to gently extract their flavor — perfect for syrups or broths.
  
  
• Simmering: Add whole cloves to soups or sauces and let them slowly release flavor over time.
  
  

Best Flavor Pairings with Cloves

Cloves play well with other bold ingredients. They’re especially good with:

• Sweet spices: Cinnamon, allspice, cardamom, nutmeg
  
  
• Savory herbs: Bay leaf, thyme, rosemary
  
  
• Fruits: Apples, oranges, pears
  
  
• Meats: Lamb, duck, pork shoulder
  
  
• Liquids: Wine, cider, black tea
  
  

Combine them in rubs, marinades, or stews to create layered flavor.

Simple Recipes Using Cloves

Let’s put cloves into action with a few simple ideas you can try right now.

Spiced Rice with Whole Cloves

Ingredients:

• 1 cup basmati rice
  
  
• 2 cups water
  
  
• 2 whole cloves
  
  
• 1 cinnamon stick
  
  
• 1 bay leaf
  
  
• Salt to taste
  
  

Instructions:

1. Rinse rice thoroughly.
   
   
2. In a pot, toast cloves, cinnamon, and bay leaf for 30 seconds.
   
   
3. Add rice, water, and salt. Bring to a boil.
   
   
4. Cover and simmer 15–20 minutes. Remove whole spices before serving.
   
   

Clove-Infused Hot Tea

Ingredients:

• 1 black tea bag
  
  
• 2–3 whole cloves
  
  
• 1 cup boiling water
  
  
• Honey or lemon (optional)
  
  

Instructions:

1. Add cloves and tea bag to a cup.
   
   
2. Pour hot water over and steep 5–7 minutes.
   
   
3. Sweeten as desired and sip warm.
   
   

 Classic Pumpkin Pie Spice Blend

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp ground cinnamon
  
  
• 1 tsp ground cloves
  
  
• 1 tsp ground ginger
  
  
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg
  
  

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients and store in a jar.
   
   
2. Use 1–2 tsp in pies, oatmeal, lattes, or baked goods.
   
   

Can You Chew Cloves After a Meal?

Yes — many cooks enjoy chewing a whole clove after a heavy meal. It has a naturally aromatic, mouth-freshening quality. Just one is enough. Be cautious not to bite down hard; it’s quite firm and potent.

How to Store Cloves

To keep your cloves fresh and flavorful:

• Store them in a cool, dry place
  
  
• Use an airtight glass jar — not a plastic bag
  
  
• Keep them away from light and heat
  
  

Whole cloves last longer than ground. When they lose their aroma or turn pale, it’s time to replace them.

Where Do Cloves Come From?

Cloves are the dried flower buds of the Syzygium aromaticum tree, native to Indonesia. Today, they’re grown in tropical regions like Madagascar, Sri Lanka, and India.

They’ve been used for centuries in both cooking and ceremonial traditions. In many cultures, cloves symbolise warmth, welcome, and spice richness — especially in festive or winter meals.

Why Choose The Spice Way Clove Spice?

We pride ourselves on sourcing pure, potent cloves with bold aroma and deep flavor. Here’s why ours stand out:

• 100% pure — no additives, no fillers
  
  
•  Ethically sourced from trusted growers
  
  
•  Freshly packed for peak flavor and shelf life
  
  
•  Available whole or ground, depending on your cooking style
  
  

🛒 Shop our Clove Spice for your next recipe.

How to Use Cloves in Spice Blends

Looking to build your blends? Cloves can be the backbone of a warm spice profile.

Try these combos:

• Garam Masala: Clove + cinnamon + cumin + coriander
  
  
• Pumpkin Spice: Clove + nutmeg + cinnamon + ginger
  
  
• Chai Masala: Clove + cardamom + black pepper + cinnamon
  
  
• Mulling Spice: Clove + orange peel + star anise + allspice
  
  

Start small — cloves carry weight. Even 1/4 tsp in a 4-spice blend can be enough.

Final Thoughts: Bring Cloves Into Your Kitchen Routine

Cloves are more than just a holiday spice. Whether you're steeping a cup of tea, flavouring a pot of rice, or mixing a fresh spice blend, cloves offer warmth, depth, and complexity in just a pinch.

You don’t need to wait for a festive recipe to use them. Add them to everyday meals — one clove at a time — and build a more flavourful kitchen.

👉 Want to start simple? Grab our premium Whole Cloves or Ground Cloves and try them in your next stew, tea, or dessert.