🌢️ Cloves (Laung)

Tiny buds with mighty warmth β€” the soul spark of Indian masalas

🌢️ The Spice Within

Cloves (Laung)

A pot of lentils simmering on a stove in a calm Indian home kitchen with simple spices nearby

Introduction

Cloves β€” known as laung in Indian kitchens β€” are dried flower buds that carry extraordinary warmth in a tiny form.

Intense. Fragrant. Lingering.

A single clove can transform an entire dish, reminding us that Indian cooking values restraint as much as richness.

🌿 What Cloves Actually Do

Cloves add depth, heat, and structure to a dish.

They don’t provide bulk flavor β€”
they provide presence.

Used sparingly, cloves anchor dishes and lend a slow-building warmth that stays long after the meal ends.

🍲 How Indian Home Cooks Use Cloves

In everyday and festive cooking, cloves appear quietly but intentionally:

Whole cloves tempered in ghee or oil

Added to rice dishes, biryanis, and festive masalas

Ground cloves used lightly in baking and winter beverages

They are never meant to dominate β€” only to support and enrich.

🍽️ The One Thing to Remember

Cloves are powerful.

Too many can overwhelm a dish.

A few, used thoughtfully, create harmony.

If you’re new to Indian spices, start small β€” one or two buds are enough.

🌱 What You Don’t Need to Worry About

Let’s simplify:

- You don’t need to use cloves daily

- You don’t need to grind them fresh every time

- You don’t need to memorize quantities

Cloves teach patience β€” not precision.

πŸ’¬ Soulful Note

The moment a clove hits warm ghee, it releases something unmistakable β€”


festive kitchens, winter mornings, slow celebrations wrapped in spice.

That scent doesn’t rush.


It lingers β€” like memory.

πŸ“š Cook’s Wisdom (Gentle Tips)

- Storage: Airtight container, away from sunlight

- Grinding: Grind in small batches if needed β€” potency fades quickly once powdered

- Pairings: Cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, pepper

- Wellness note: Traditionally used for digestion and soothing warmth

πŸͺ” A Gentle Place to Begin

Cloves don’t ask for mastery.


They ask for mindfulness.

πŸ‘‰ You may enjoy:
The Indian Pantry, Simplified: The Only Spices You Actually Need to Begin

πŸͺ” Bottom Line

Cloves remind us that intensity doesn’t need volume β€”


sometimes, the smallest bud holds the deepest warmth.

🧑 Meet the Heart Behind the Spice

Maya Shetty – Stirred By Spice Author Photo

Hi, I’m Maya Shetty β€” cook, storyteller, and spice lover.

Through Stirred By Spice, I share recipes that warm both the kitchen and the heart β€” where simple ingredients and warm flavors turn everyday meals into moments of connection.

πŸ’¬ I’d Love to Hear From You!

Your words, memories, and reflections mean the world to me.
Share your thoughts using the form below β€” I read every message.

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