Sri Lankan Clove
Grown in the sun-drenched lands of Sri Lanka, our Ceylon cloves are harvested using traditional methods that respect the natural rhythms of the trees. Harvested at peak ripeness and then gently dried, they retain all their aromatic richness and natural power.
Deep and glossy brown, each clove releases warm, spicy, and slightly sweet notes, with a subtle, lingering intensity. They are ideal for flavoring your stews, pastries, hot drinks, or homemade infusions.
At Lokayah, we select only exceptional cloves, cultivated with respect for the earth and all living things, to offer you a noble, vibrant and authentic spice.
Sri Lankan Clove
€2,95
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What is Clove?
Cloves are the dried flower buds of the clove tree ( Syzygium aromaticum ), a tropical tree native to the Indonesian Moluccas, also known as the Spice Islands . Harvested just before they bloom and then dried in the sun, these small, dark brown cloves pack an exceptional punch of aroma.
In Sri Lanka, cloves have found an ideal breeding ground: a warm, humid climate, fertile soils, and agricultural know-how passed down for centuries. Grown primarily in the Matale, Kandy, and Sabaragamuwa regions, they benefit from perfect conditions to develop their warm, spicy, and slightly sweet aroma.
Used since ancient times, cloves were already prized for their medicinal properties, their power to preserve food, and of course, their captivating aroma. They were among the most sought-after spices on the great trade routes between Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. Their value was such that they were sometimes used as currency.
Today, Ceylon cloves are sought after for their superior quality: an intense, persistent yet elegant aroma, and a high content of natural essential oil, particularly eugenol, which is responsible for their characteristic fragrance.
At Lokayah, we have selected cloves from crops that respect nature, to offer you a noble, vibrant spice, deeply rooted in the history of taste and travel.
How to use Clove?
Cloves are a powerful and precious spice, to be used with finesse to enhance your recipes.
In savory cuisine
Add a few cloves to your broths, stews, curries, or simmered sauces. They delicately flavor meats, vegetables, and casseroles. Remember to remove them before serving to avoid an overpowering flavor.
In sweet cuisine
Cloves go wonderfully with fruit-based desserts (apples, pears, plums), gingerbread, and homemade compotes.
In drinks
Infuse 1 to 2 cloves into mulled wine, herbal teas, cider, or even black tea for a warm and spicy scent.
🇫🇷 France – Mulled wine with spices: Cloves are essential in mulled wine spice blends, where they add warmth and depth.
🇮🇳 India – Biryani: In this iconic spiced rice dish, cloves subtly flavor the cooking along with cardamom, cinnamon, and cumin.
🇩🇪 Germany – Gingerbread (Lebkuchen): Cloves add their signature flavor to traditional Christmas gingerbread.
🇲🇦 Morocco – Lamb Tagine with Prunes: Used sparingly, cloves intensifies sweet and savory stews.
🇱🇰 Sri Lanka – Fragrant Curries: Cloves are incorporated into spice blends to enrich curries, fragrant rice, and saucy dishes.
Lokayah Tip
To fully release their aromas, lightly crush the cloves before brewing or cooking. Use them sparingly: their natural potency is enough to enrich an entire preparation.
The benefits of cloves
Beyond its intense fragrance, cloves are known for their remarkable natural properties.
Powerful antioxidant action
Rich in eugenol, an active compound, cloves help protect cells against oxidative stress and support the immune system.
Natural pain relief
Traditionally used to soothe toothache and muscle pain, cloves have mild anesthetic and anti-inflammatory properties.
Helps digestion
In infusion or in cooking, it stimulates digestion, reduces bloating and promotes intestinal comfort.
Respiratory support
Due to its antibacterial properties, it is often used in natural remedies to relieve sore throats or winter discomfort.
General balance of the body
In moderate and regular use, cloves help maintain natural vitality and support metabolism.
Before being dried, the clove is a flower bud: a small purple gem with a powerful fragrance. Hand-harvested just before blooming, it already concentrates all the essential oils that will give the spice its strength, warmth, and aromatic richness.
Precise and patient know-how, passed down from generation to generation on the islands where it grows.
Once hand-harvested, just before blooming, the clove buds are carefully spread out in the sun, often on large mats of natural fibers. This seemingly simple step is actually crucial: it requires patience, vigilance, and expertise passed down through generations.
Over several days, the cloves slowly transform. Their reddish-purple hue darkens, their texture hardens, and the essential oils, naturally heated by the sun, intensify. It is this slow and gentle process that gives cloves their strength, aromatic complexity, and ability to flavor an entire dish with a single touch.
Blog Article
Used for thousands of years for its aromatic, culinary, and medicinal properties, Sri Lankan cloves have established themselves as one of the island's most iconic and powerful spices. Behind each dried flower bud lies a story of terroir, tradition, and ancestral know-how. In this article, we invite you to explore the origins of this precious spice, its cultivation in the tropical forests of Ceylon, its natural benefits, and its multiple uses in cooking. Whether you're a spice enthusiast, a curious gourmet, or a taste artisan, discover why Sri Lankan cloves are one of the most intense and refined gems in the gourmet world.
History and origin of cloves in Sri Lanka
Native to the Moluccas, the Indonesian islands nicknamed "Spice Islands," cloves reached Sri Lanka via maritime trade routes during the colonial era. The Portuguese, then the Dutch and the British, introduced their cultivation to the island, where they found an ideal breeding ground.
Since then, Sri Lanka has developed a high-quality production, renowned for its aromatic intensity and richness in essential oil. Sri Lankan cloves are now exported worldwide, prized by chefs and perfumers alike for their power and purity.
Terroir and growing regions
Clove grows in the humid, tropical regions of Sri Lanka, particularly in the forested areas of the southwest of the island such as Matara, Galle, Ratnapura, and Badulla. The clove tree, an evergreen that can grow up to 15 meters, prefers rich, well-drained soils and alternating abundant rainfall and warmth.
The crop is often integrated into agroforestry systems, where it shares space with other spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, and pepper. This biodiversity contributes to the exceptional quality of Sri Lankan cloves, harvested by hand using methods passed down through generations.
Varieties and characteristics of Sri Lankan cloves
Cloves are actually the flower buds of the clove tree, harvested before the flower opens. They are then sun-dried until they become stiff, dark, and intensely aromatic.
Those from Sri Lanka are distinguished by their high eugenol (essential oil) content, which can reach up to 85%, their plump and well-formed appearance, and their more consistent aroma than cloves from more intensive cultivation. Their quality makes them a highly sought-after ingredient in perfumery, cosmetics, and gastronomy.
Flavors and aromas: a powerful and warm spice
Sri Lankan cloves exude a warm, woody, peppery aroma, with distinctive camphor and medicinal notes. On the palate, they impart an almost anesthetic intensity, a deep warmth, and a hint of sweetness on the finish.
It's a spice that requires careful dosing, but when used properly, it can transform a dish by its mere presence. A spice of character, noble and rooted in the Sri Lankan forests.
Health Benefits of Clove
Traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine, cloves are a powerful natural antiseptic. They are known for their antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic properties.
It relieves toothache, stimulates digestion, warms the body, and helps fight respiratory infections. Used as an infusion, mouthwash, or poultice, it's a true ally for everyday well-being.
How to use cloves in cooking
Whole or ground, cloves can be used in a multitude of recipes. In savory dishes, they flavor broths, sauces, curries, marinades, and stews. In desserts, they blend with cinnamon and nutmeg to create warm notes in compotes, apple pies, and gingerbread.
It's also found in hot drinks like mulled wine, chai tea, and winter infusions. Often, just one nail is enough to transport the senses.
Why choose Sri Lankan cloves?
Choosing Sri Lankan cloves means choosing a spice grown with care, in a healthy environment, and harvested by hand by committed producers. It also means supporting more sustainable agriculture, based on biodiversity and respect for natural cycles.
At Lokayah, we value this noble spice for its quality, traceability, and sensory depth. An authentic spice, rooted in Sri Lankan forests and the history of taste.
