What is Worcestershire sauce or ketchup without the spicy sweet and musty note of clove? Cloves are symbolic to the Moluccans, where they originated, but today are cultivated in Brazil, Malaysia, Madagascar, Sri Lanka and Zanzibar. It has been one of the ancient spices and traditionally used to relieve pain and improve blood circulation. Cloves are dried unopened buds with stems, and which are sold as whole or ground. Asians add them to aromatic biryanis, pungent curried dishes and pickles, while Europeans enjoy its flavor in baked ham, sausages, pickled cabbage, desserts and puddings.