Where are cloves originally from?
Cloves are native to the Maluku Islands, also called the Moluccas, in Indonesia. Until the colonial era, they grew only on a few of those islands, including Bacan, Makian, Moti, Ternate, and Tidore.
Questions about Clove
Short answers, pulled from the story.
What does the word clove mean and where does it come from?
The word clove entered English in the 15th century and traces back through Old French to the Latin word clavus, meaning nail. The name reflects the spice's nail-like shape.
What is the oldest archaeological evidence of cloves?
Cloves dated to 1720 BC were found in a burned-down house at Terqa, Syria, during the kingdom of Hana. The discovery was reported by archaeologist Giorgio Buccellati in 1978 and is the earliest known evidence of cloves in the western world.
What is the main chemical compound in clove essential oil?
Eugenol is the primary compound in clove essential oil, making up between 72 and 90 percent of its composition. It is responsible for clove's distinctive aroma and most of its flavor.
What is the oldest known clove tree in the world?
A clove tree named Afo on the island of Ternate, Indonesia, is believed by experts to be the oldest in the world, estimated at 350-400 years old. Tourists are told that Pierre Poivre stole seedlings from this tree in 1770 and transferred them to Mauritius, from where they later reached Zanzibar.
Why were clove cigarettes banned in the United States?
In September 2009, the United States banned flavored cigarettes, and clove cigarettes were subsequently reclassified as cigars rather than cigarettes under that regulation.