Cloves

Originating in Indonesia, cloves are dried flower buds from the clove tree. They are a popular spice that people use in soups, stews, meats, sauces, and rice dishes.

Their name comes from the Latin word clavus, which means nail since the shape of a dried clove resembles that of a nail.

People have used cloves in cooking and traditional medicine for many years, but it is only recently that scientists have begun studying their potential health benefits.