Cloves (Lavang)

Cloves, having the resemblance of a small tack, cloves are the highly aromatic unopened flower buds of a clove tree. They dry to a rich brown colour. I love this spice and add it whole when I make pulao or biryani along with green cardamom and cinnamon sticks. I add it in my meat recipes or ground together with black cardamom and some other spices when making garam masala powder. The whole clove can be very strong so refrain from biting if found in pulao, biryani or meats. It is very rarely added to seafood curries although my Prawn Balchao calls for cloves because it contributes to both taste and aroma to this masala base.