Clove

Clove is one of the oldest spices in the world, is the dried, unopened flower bud of a small evergreen tree. It is indigenous to the Moluccas Islands of Indonesia. 

Clove goes mainly as an ingredient of a variety of food specialties, beverages, medicines, cosmetics, perfumery and toiletries.

Either whole or as a powder, Clove finds extensive application in Indian foods. 

It is an active ingredient of garam masala and several kinds of curry powders. Clove is also highly recommended for making pickles, ketchups, and several kinds of sweets. It is very often used with pan for chewing after meals, and in tooth pastes as a fragrant mouth-freshener.

Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala are the main Clove producing states in India.