Clove

Cloves are the dried, aromatic flower buds of Syzygium aromaticum, a tree in the myrtle family native to the Maluku Islands of Indonesia. The buds are harvested before they open and used whole or ground as a spice, and as a flavoring or fragrance ingredient in products such as toothpaste and soap. Different growing regions have staggered harvest seasons, so freshly picked cloves reach markets throughout the year.