Nutritional Value Of Cloves

Cloves (Syzygium aromaticum) are dried flower buds of a tree belonging to the plant family Myrtaceae and the order Myrtales. Although they are native to India and parts of Indonesia, they are now cultivated in a number of countries around the world, with the primarily producers being countries like India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Zanzibar and Indonesia. Cloves are actually the unopened flower buds of the evergreen clove tree. They are harvested when they are young and pink in color and are dried until they change their color to dark brown. These spices are available all round the year and are regarded as delightful additions to soups and stews. It is their exclusive sweet, warm and aromatic taste that has made them one of the most sought after spices in the cuisine culture of the world. To know more about the high nutritional value present in cloves, read the Food Rating Chart given below in this article.

Clove Nutrition Facts

Amount of Cloves: 1 tbsp

Total Weight of Cloves: 6 grams

Nutrients	Amount
Basic Components
Protein	0.4 g
Carbohydrates	4.0 g
Water	0.4 g
Ash	0.4 g
Calories
Total Calories	87.9 KJ
Calories From Fat	45.6 KJ
Calories From Carbohydrate	39.4 KJ
Calories From Protein	2.9 KJ
Fiber
Dietary Fiber	2.2 g
Starch	2.2 g
Sugars	0.2 g
Glucose	74.1 mg
Sucrose	1.3 mg
Fructose	69.5 mg
Galactose	9.8 mg
Fats
Total Fat	1.3 g
Saturated Fat	0.4 g
Mono Fat	0.1 g
Poly Fat	0.5 g
Vitamins
Vitamin A	34.4 IU
Vitamin A Retinal Activity Equivalent Beta Carotene	1.8 mcg 5.5 mcg
Niacin	0.1 mg
Biotin	0.1 mg
Choline	2.4 mg
Vitamin C	5.3 mg
Vitamin D	5.3 mg
Vitamin E (Alpha Tocopherol)	0.6 mg
Vitamin E (Beta Tocopherol)	0.6 mg
Vitamin E (Gamma Tocopherol)	0.6 mg
Vitamin E (Delta Tocopherol)	0.6 mg
Folate	6.0 mcg
Vitamin K	9.2 mcg
Minerals
Calcium	42.0 mg
Iron	0.6 mg
Magnesium	17.2 mg
Manganese	2.0 mg
Phosphorus	6.8 mg
Potassium	71.6 mg
Selenium	0.4 mcg
Sodium	15.8 mg
Zinc	0.1 mg
Saturated Fats
16:0 Palmitic	258 mg
18:0 Stearic	55.1 mg
Mono Fats
18:1 Oleic	86.9 mg
Poly Fats
18:2 Linoleic	168 mg
18:3 Linolenic	277 mg
Other Fats
Omega 3 Fatty Acids	278 mg
Omega 6 Fatty Acids	168 mg
Amino Acids
Alanine	0.4 g
Arginine	0.4 g
Aspartate	0.4 g
Cystine	0.4 g
Glutamate	0.4 g
Glycine	0.4 g
Histidine	0.4 g
Isoleucine	0.4 g
Leucine	0.4 g
Lysine	0.4 g
Methionine	0.4 g
Phenylalanine	0.4 g
Proline	0.4 g
Serine	0.4 g
Threonine	0.4 g
Tryptophan	0.4 g
Tyrosine	0.4 g
Valine	0.4 g

Buying & Storing Tips

To get a better and richer flavor, buy whole cloves, instead of the powdered variety.
To check for the quality of the cloves, squeeze them with a fingernail. If they release some of their oil, they belong to a good quality stock. Alternately, try placing them in a cup of water. The good quality ones will float vertically, while the stale ones will either sink or float horizontally.
To get a superior and fresh quality of dried cloves, always explore the local spice stores or the ethnic markets in your area. There, you will also be able to get them for a better price, as compared to the price offered in the regular markets.
If possible, try to purchase cloves that have been grown organically, as this will give you better assurance that they are devoid of any form of irradiation.
The best way to store cloves is by placing them in a tightly sealed container, in a cool, dry and dark place. This, way ground cloves can be kept fresh for a period of about six months, while the whole cloves will remain fresh for over a year. You can further increase their shelf life by storing them in the refrigerator.

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