Dried flower buds characterized by their pungent flavour. Whole cloves are traditionally associated with roast ham. They are also cooked with onions and oranges in boiled dinners and pot roasts, and are used to season fruit compotes and marinades. They add an interesting taste to coffee and to delicatessen meats, meatloaf, desserts, fruit in brandy, and mulled wine. Clove is one of the ingredients in gingerbread and is included in spice mixtures such as garam masala, curry, ras el hanout, and five-spice powder. Cloves are the dried buds of the clove tree. They are often added to a dish whole to impart their flavour but are then discarded and not actually eaten. Cloves are used to flavour both sweet and savoury dishes.