LAVANG

• Botanical Name: Syzygium aromaticum
• Common Names: Cloves, Laung (in Hindi), Lavangam (in Telugu), Lavang (in Bengali)
• Family: Myrtaceae
• Native Region: Cloves are native to the Maluku Islands in Indonesia, also known as the Spice Islands.

Description:

• Appearance: Cloves are small, dark brown, nail-shaped flower buds.
• Aroma: They have a strong, warm, and sweet aroma.
• Taste: Cloves have a pungent, sweet, and slightly bitter taste.
• Processing: They are harvested before they bloom and then dried until they turn brown.

Culinary Uses:

• Spice: Cloves are used whole or ground as a spice in various cuisines worldwide.
• Flavoring: They add flavor to both savory and sweet dishes.
• Common Dishes: Cloves are used in curries, stews, soups, pickles, rice dishes, and desserts.
• Beverages: They are used to flavor beverages like mulled wine, chai tea, and spiced cider.

Medicinal Properties:

• Traditional Medicine: Cloves have been used in traditional medicine for centuries.
• Antioxidant: They are rich in antioxidants, which help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals.
• Anti-inflammatory: Cloves contain compounds with anti-inflammatory properties, which may help reduce inflammation.
• Dental Health: Clove oil is used for its analgesic and antiseptic properties, often in dental care products and remedies for toothaches.