Cloves are the rich, brown, dried, unopened flower buds of Syzygium aromaticum, an evergreen tree in the myrtle family. Cloves come from Madagascar, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka.
Cloves have a sweet-savory flavor and that's why it is a part of holiday recipes.
Cloves are used in cookies, gingerbread, pumpkin pie, baked ham, potatoes, beans, sauces, and rubs.