Dried cloves
Cloves are the aromatic flower buds of a tree in the family Myrtaceae,Syzygium aromaticum. Native to the Maluku Islands (or Moluccas) in Indonesia, and are commonly used as a spice, flavoring or fragrance in consumer products, such as toothpaste, soaps, or cosmetics. Cloves are available throughout the year due to different harvest seasons across various countries.
In Ghana, the are different ways of identifying cloves; in Twi it is called Dadoa Amba or Pepre and in Fante, Mbrego Amba.
Flower of clove
Cloves have a lot of benefits and can be used orally or topically. Cloves are used in the cuisine of Asian, African, Mediterranean, and the Near and Middle East countries, lending flavor to meats, curries, and marinades, as well as fruit. Cloves may be used to give aromatic and flavor qualities to hot beverages, often combined with other ingredients such as lemon and sugar. They are a common element in spice blends, pumpkin pie spice and speculaas spices.
A major component of clove taste is imparted by the chemical eugenol and the quantity of the spice required is typically small. It pairs well with cinnamon, allspice, vanilla, red wine, basil, onion, citrus peel, star anise, and peppercorns giving off a soothing aroma.
In ancient times, cloves were mostly used for oral health. Chewing on it provided a clean mouth as well as protection from cavities.
Recent studies have also shown that it helps with Diabetes, reducing cancer cells, obesity and improving hair growth.
Cloves has always been a part of our daily lives however in order to gain the best benefits out of it depends on how you use it.
So whether you use it as a spice for your meals, for your beverage, for your general health and even for hair growth. You have to be well equipped with the right way of using it.
Thank you and I will continue with the ways of using cloves in my next issue.
Shalom and lots of love 💕
Content created and supplied by: Lebeneami (via Opera
News )