Madagascar Cloves Whole

Whole cloves are a must for studding hams and flavoring stocks and hot cider and punch. The flavor is intense, so be sure to use sparingly. Ground cloves are perfect for baked goods. Because cloves bring out the flavor of beef, add a whole clove to beef stew or a tiny pinch of ground cloves to gravy. In the West, cloves are mainly considered a baking spice, though their preserving qualities make them popular for pickling and barbecuing.