Cloves are the dried, unopened flower buds of the Syzygium aromaticum tree, which is native to Indonesia. They have a sweet, warm, and slightly bitter flavour and are often used to flavour a wide range of dishes, including meats, vegetables, grains, and legumes. Cloves are a key ingredient in many spice blends, such as garam masala and pumpkin pie spice, and are also used to flavour sweet and savoury dishes, such as baked ham and curries. Whole cloves are the most common form of the spice and can be added to dishes whole or ground into a fine powder. They have a hard, woody texture and should be removed from the dish before serving. Cloves should be stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry place to maintain their freshness and flavour.