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Ceylon Clove
Ceylon Clove (Sygizium Aromaticum)
CROP DECEMBER – APRIL
Cloves, which are the flower buds of a form of evergreen tree, originate from the Maluku Islands, Indonesia. They are primarily used as a spice, but are also used for medicine, fragrance (pomander) and clove cigars. Cloves are harvested and traded mainly in Sri Lanka, India, Indonesia, Madagascar, Pakistan, Tanzania and Zanzibar. When it comes to culinary purposes cloves are used in Asian, African, Mexican and Middle Eastern cuisine. They are most often used to add depth to meats, curries and marinade.
Another spice native to the Moluccas region in Indonesia, cloves are a mainstay of Indian Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine. Widely recognized for its warm, sweet aroma, cloves and/or its derivations are used in everything from herbal medicines to perfumes.
Cloves grown in Sri Lanka are believed to have a higher oil content compared to cloves from other parts of the world (clove oil is the single most important derivation of the spice). We’re not quite sure, but this might have something to with the climatic conditions of the Kandy, Kegalle, and Matale districts, where cloves are primarily grown.
- Major Exporters – Madagascar, Tanzania, Comoros, Brazil, Indonesia and Sri Lanka
- Major Export Markets – Belgium, Germany, Netherlands, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, and France
- Sri Lanka’s Market Share – 4.1%
HISTORY
The clove tree is a medium sized symmetrically shaped tree with smooth grey bark. It is believed to be originated in Maluku Islands in Indonesia. Clove along with nutmeg and pepper were highly prized in Roman Era. Cloves were traded by Arabs in the middle ages but in the 15th century Portugal took over the trade. The Portuguese brought large quantities of cloves to Europe mainly from Malku Islands and valued it at seven grams of gold per kg. Later the Spanish then the Dutch dominated the trade till the seventeenth century. The French introduced clove to Mauritius in the year 1770 subsequently the cultivations were introduced to Guiana, Zanzibar, West Indies and most of the Brazil. It is not known how and when clove was introduced to Sri Lanka but may be the Arab traders or Colonial rulers may have brought the plant to the country as Sri Lanka was a major trading hub for spices during that time.
PRODUCTS AND USES
The clove tree is a medium sized symmetrically shaped tree with smooth grey bark. It is believed to be originated in Maluku Islands in Indonesia. Clove along with nutmeg and pepper were highly prized in Roman Era. Cloves were traded by Arabs in the middle ages but in the 15th century Portugal took over the trade. The Portuguese brought large quantities of cloves to Europe mainly from Malku Islands and valued it at seven grams of gold per kg. Later the Spanish then the Dutch dominated the trade till the seventeenth century. The French introduced clove to Mauritius in the year 1770 subsequently the cultivations were introduced to Guiana, Zanzibar, West Indies and most of the Brazil. It is not known how and when clove was introduced to Sri Lanka but may be the Arab traders or Colonial rulers may have brought the plant to the country as Sri Lanka was a major trading hub for spices during that time.
MAJOR GROWING AREAS
Clove is mainly grown in Mid Country wet zone of Sri Lanka. Total extent of clove is 7618ha. And Kandy, Kegalle and Matale districts are major growing areas.
VARIETIES
No specific varieties have been identified. However there are trees produce bigger size clove buds which are called as “Bothal Karabu”.
CLIMATE
- Clove grows well in a humid tropical climate from sea level up to 1000m elevation. An average rainfall of 1750- 2500mm. per annum is sufficient. It is however, necessary that dry periods alternate with moist ones for good flowering
- The annual average temperature should be 20 o – 30o C without much seasonal and diurnal variation. Persistent strong winds are harmful. Shade is essential during the first two or three years of growth. Thereafter full exposure to light is beneficial.
STANDARD QUALITY SPECIFICATIONS
The specifications given by the Sri Lanka Slandered Institute is as follows.
MEDICINAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
- Eugenol comprises 72-90% of the essential oil extracted from cloves and the compound is most responsible for the aroma of cloves. Other important essential oil constituents of clove oil include acetyl eugenol, beta-caryophyllene and vanillin, crategolic acid, gallotannic acid, methyl salicylate, eugenin, kaempferol, rhammentin, eugenitin, oleanolic acid, sigmasterol and campesterol.
- Clove is used in Indian Ayurvedic medicine, Chinese medicine, western herbalism and in the dentistry, where the essential oil is traditionally used as an anodyne (painkiller) for dental emergencies. Cloves have carminative effect to increase hydrochloric acid in the stomach and to improve peristalsis. Clove oil is used in various skin disorders like acne, pimples etc. and also used in skin burns, skin irritation and sensitiveness of skin.
Clove Handpicked Selected
Cloves HPS is the most superior grade of cloves. This grade contains good size full bud cloves with beautiful color. This grade contains no headless cloves or stems.
- 99% headcount
- Moisture : Maximum 12%
- Stems : Below 0.1%
- Admixture/foreign Matters : 0.2%
Clove Reddish (Lalpari)
Clove Reddish is the first best grade in cloves. This grade contains good size full bud clove with beautiful color.
- 90% Headcount
- Moisture 12%
- Admixture/Foreign Matters 1-2%
Clove Grade No 01
Cloves No.1 is the second best grade in cloves. This grade is mostly full bud cloves with small percentage of headless cloves.
- 90%Headcount
- Moisture : Maximum 12%
- Admixture/Foreign Matters : 1-2%
Clove FAQ
Cloves FAQ is a mixture of full bud cloves. Headless cloves and some stems.
- Color : Mixed
- Moisture : Maximum 12%
- Admixture/Foreign Matters : 3-4%
- Headless : 40%
STEMS
Clove stem (Eugenia caryophyllata) oil are obtained from the clove tree, which is grown mainly in hill country of Sri Lanka. The oil extraction is based on the steam distillation with the use of clove stem as raw materials.
