Cinnamon and Cloves of Southeast Asia

By Marilyn Zink

Welcome armchairs travellers to the spices of Southeast Asia. We will consider cinnamon and cloves, two of the most common spices in our kitchen and their fascinating history and uses.

Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum)

The familiar spice of cinnamon comes from the bark of a tropical evergreen tree that grows in Southeast Asia. True cinnamon is native to Sri Lanka. The Cinnamon used in North America is from the cassia tree which is grown in Vietnam, China, Indonesia, and Central America.
Cinnamon is usually ground and used in baked goods, cooked fruit, mulled red wine and tea, but it has also been used in meat and fish dishes. Cinnamon is also used in savory chicken and lamb dishes from the Middle East. Cinnamon is a perfect partner for chocolate as it can be used in any chocolate dessert or drink. It is used to mellow the tartness of apple pie. Ground cinnamon should not be added to boiling liquids; the liquid may become stringy and the cinnamon will lose flavor. For a fragrant pilaf, cook rice in a cinnamon flavored broth and stir in chopped dried fruit and toasted nuts. The sweet spicy flavor of cinnamon enhances the taste of vegetables and fruits

The coarsely ground seed is used in potpourri and the seed oil in perfumery. The bark has been used medicinally as an antiseptic, astringent and stimulant, and to relieve nausea, flatulence and diarrhea. Half a teaspoon of cinnamon daily has been shown to reduce blood sugar levels, according to an article by New Scientist.

History and Folklore
Cinnamon has been popular since ancient times. Egyptians imported it from China in 2000 BC. Romans believed Cinnamon was sacred, and Nero burned a year's supply of the spice at the funeral for his wife. Finding Cinnamon was a primary motive of world exploration in the 15th and 16th centuries.

Cassia was the first cinnamon species that has made its way to Europe, at least since Alexander the Great. Before this time, cassia was transported as far as to Egypt, where it was part of mummification mixtures for the pharaohs, and to Israel, since cassia is mentioned several times in the Bible.

Today, cassia is the preferred cinnamon species from peninsular South East Asia to Central Asia. In Western countries, Ceylon cinnamon is usually preferred for its purer and less harsh taste. Although cassia seems to be rather common in the US, it is hardly available in Europe unless in Chinese markets. Cassia can be substituted by cinnamon without loss of authenticity.

Cloves (Syzygium aromaticum)

Cloves are the rich, brown, dried, unopened flower buds of Syzygium aromaticum, an evergreen tree in the myrtle family. The pink flower buds turn reddish-brown after drying and are pungent and sweet tasting. The name of cloves comes from the French "clou" meaning nail. Cloves come from Madagascar, Brazil, Panang, and Ceylon. Much of the world crop is used in Indonesia for Clove cigarettes, called "kreteks".

Cloves are used to spice cookies and cakes. Ground cloves add spicy depth to gingerbread, cookies, applesauce, muffins, cakes, and other sweets. It's a secret ingredient in barbecue and cocktail sauces. Blend ground cloves with maple syrup and drizzle over cooked sweet potatoes and winter squash. Add a few whole cloves to bean and split pea soups (remove before serving). Eugenol (clove oil) will collect and cake in the container when cloves are stored in a warm place. If you choose to grind your own cloves, do not use a grinder that has plastic parts. Clove oil can cloud some plastics.

Cloves can be chewed as a breath freshener or infused as a tea to relieve nausea. Clove oil dropped into a tooth cavity is said to stop toothache. It is applied externally to ease neuralgia and rheumatism.

History and Folklore
Cloves are native to the Molucca Islands, now a part of Indonesia. Cloves have been used for thousands of years. One of the earliest references to them says that the Chinese, in order to approach the emperor, had to have a few cloves in their mouths to sweeten the breath. Cloves were once very costly and played an important part in world history. Wars were fought in Europe and with native islanders to secure rights to the profitable clove business. Natives in the Molucca Islands planted a clove tree for each child born. They believed that the fate of the tree was linked to the fate of that child. In 1816, the Dutch set a fire to destroy Clove trees and raise prices. The natives revolted in a bloody battle which changed the climate and politics of the area forever.