Clearance Highland Cloves

While some say that cloves were introduced into Sri Lanka by European colonists in the 1500s, the oldest cloves in existence were reportedly discovered at an ancient port on the island dating back to 200 B.C. Our farmer’s clove grove was planted by his grandfather in the Sri Lankan central highlands city of Matale in the early 1970s. As a third-generation farmer, he harvests these sturdy evergreen trees, naturally fertilized by pollen from the surrounding tropical forest, when the clove buds are on the precipice of blooming, signaling optimum flavor and aroma. The harvest—inspected by hand to remove any buds that have sprouted—is then dried in the tropical sun to achieve its woodsy texture and aroma.

Trent Blodgett's journey started from battling chronic depression to finding solace and purpose in cooking. Trained to cook at an upscale Spanish restaurant in San Francisco led to a chef position running large events and pop up dinners throughout the Bay Area. Immersed in the captivating world of flavors and scents, Trent became fascinated by the history and cultural influences of cuisine.

Driven by his newfound passion, Trent embarked on extensive travels, collecting spices that reminded him of the diverse culinary experiences he encountered. Cooking became his medicine and meditation, transforming his outlook on life. This transformative journey led Trent to establish Spice Tribe, a platform to share his spice blends, stories, and the belief that a shift in cooking perspective can profoundly impact one's existence.

You can use this spice whole to infuse into a dish but not advised to eat whole like other whole spice seeds. The flavor compounds in cloves dissolve into oil and not water. Use this spice early in the dish to mellow out some of the bitter flavors. Cloves are often used with other warm spices to bring out the sweetness.