Cloves are the dried, unopened flower buds that grow on a medium-sized evergreen carnation tree. A carnation tree will grow up to the height of 10 to 12 meters. The carnation flower bud (Eugenia aromatica) is pink in color, and when dried, turns brown. Clove is native to the Moluccas or Spice Islands (Indonesia) and south of the Philippines. Indonesia is the largest producer of cloves. These herbs are also cultivated commercially in Jamaica, Brazil, India, West Indies, Pemba, Madagascar and other tropical areas. Cloves in comparison to other spices are available year-round.
In India and China, cloves have been used as an old bad breath remedy. It is said that in China, anyone who had consultation with the emperor was required to chew on cloves, so that breathed in sweet. In China and Persia, the carnations are considered to have aphrodisiac qualities.