Clove went in as part of building out our spice collection rather than as a tree with its own dedicated day, so I don’t have a great personal story attached to this one yet.
The Basics
Clove, Syzygium aromaticum, is native to the Maluku Islands of Indonesia, historically known as the Spice Islands.
Origin and Habitat
Native to a handful of small volcanic islands in eastern Indonesia, warm and humid, where it was once so valuable that entire trade empires were built around controlling access to it, not unlike the historic value placed on kukui nut oil here in Hawaiʻi.
What It Looks Like
An evergreen tree with aromatic leaves, the actual spice being the dried, unopened flower buds harvested before they bloom.
Uses and Flavor
Used whole or ground in cooking worldwide, and also distilled for clove oil, which shows up in everything from dental care to incense, sharing a bit of that insect-repelling, medicinal reputation with neem oil.
Growing It Here
This was one of the first trees planted here, tucked in behind our house. This year I harvested about 6 pounds of cloves off of it, and there’s still a lot more sitting unharvested on the tree that I haven’t gotten to yet. It’s part of a broader effort to grow our own spice rack rather than just fruit, alongside things like cinnamon and curry leaf.
Pests and Diseases to Watch For
Nothing to report yet.
Kenta’s Take
Six pounds of cloves off one tree, with plenty more still hanging up there, is a good problem to have. Slow, steady addition to the spice side of the food forest, and it’s finally paying off.