Cloves

cengkeh (Indonesian); clove

Flavor and role

Dried nail-shaped flower buds with a strong, pungent, numbing aroma. Too many make a dish bitter and medicinal, so 2-3 are enough.

Typical dishes and uses

Pho broth, biryani, garam masala, glazed ham, mulled wine, pickles. In this book: pho bo broth.

Substitutes

3 whole cloves = ¼ tsp ground cloves. If you have none, use the same amount of allspice or leave them out.

Storage

In an airtight container at cool room temperature, away from direct sunlight and moisture. For best aroma, use ground spices within 6 months to 1 year and whole spices within 2-3 years.

Main countries

Indonesia · MG

Used in this book

Pho Bo (Vietnamese Beef Noodle Soup)Chicken BiryaniBirria Tacos with ConsoméChicken Machboos (Emirati Spiced Chicken and Rice)Chicken KabsaKelewelePastitsioRogan JoshSri Lankan Chicken Curry (Kukul Mas Curry)Short Rib and Shank Quesabirria TacosBirria Ramen with Soy-Marinated EggBirria Grilled Cheese with Consomé DipDurban Lamb Bunny with Fresh-Ground MasalaTandoor-Style Murgh MakhaniPindi CholeHyderabadi Chicken Dum BiryaniRoyal Chicken Machboos with Saffron Rice, Daqoos and Crispy OnionsCharcoal-Skewered Chicken Tikka MasalaThree-Chile Enchiladas GratinadasMasala Chai Hot Cross BunsLamb Kabsa with Toasted Spices and DaqqusOven-Baked Kaiserschmarrn with Homemade ZwetschkenrösterToasted-Spice Kelewele with Roasted Groundnuts and Lime Chilli SaltLasagne Verdi with Homemade Spinach PastaGruyère and Aged Cheddar Mac with Crispy PankoPastitsio with Slow-Simmered Beef and Pork Ragù and Bay-Infused BéchamelMumbai Tawa Butter Pav BhajiPhở Đặc Biệt with 4-Hour Oxtail BrothPhở French Dip SandwichPozole Rojo Especial (Bone-In Broth and Chile de Árbol Salsa)Padang-style dry rendangSlow-Braised Lamb Shank Rogan JoshRogan Josh Birria-Style TacosSri Lankan Black Chicken Curry with Toasted CoconutCharcoal Suya with Hand-Toasted Yaji and Tomato RelishTacos al Pastor

Updated 2026-10-10