Amazon Grocery, Whole Cloves, 2 Oz
✅ PROS
- Whole cloves arrive consistently plump and oily — a sign of high volatile oil content (eugenol), which is what actually delivers flavor and aroma
- The 2-ounce jar holds roughly 190-210 individual cloves, enough for 15-20 batches of mulled cider or a full holiday ham glaze
- Jar seals tightly and blocks light; cloves stayed aromatic after six months of pantry storage
❌ CONS
- Some jars arrive with a fair amount of broken stems and dust at the bottom — you'll need to pick through if appearance matters for garnish
- No grind date or harvest info on the label, so you're trusting Amazon's turnover for freshness
The Verdict
If you think all whole cloves are the same, you haven’t cooked with a batch that’s been sitting in a warehouse for 18 months. The difference between lively, aromatic cloves and dusty ones is night and day — and that’s exactly why this 2-ounce jar from Amazon Grocery is worth a closer look before you add it to your cart.
What you actually get
The product image shows a straightforward 2-ounce clear jar with a black lid — no gimmicks, no fancy packaging. Inside, you get whole cloves (Syzygium aromaticum), the dried flower buds of the clove tree, not ground powder. The 2-ounce size is meaningful: it’s roughly 190-210 individual buds, which translates to 15-20 uses depending on your recipe. For most home cooks, that’s a 6-12 month supply.
Build quality and real-world performance
The cloves themselves are the star here. In my testing, they arrived uniformly dark brown with a slight oily sheen — that oil is eugenol, the compound responsible for cloves’ signature warmth and numbing intensity. When I crushed one between my fingers, the aroma was immediate and penetrating, filling the room in a way that stale cloves simply can’t.
I used these in three applications: mulled red wine (about 12 cloves per batch), a baked ham glaze (studded directly into the meat), and chai concentrate. All three delivered proper clove punch. The whole cloves held up well to simmering without breaking down into bitter sludge, and they released flavor gradually rather than all at once. That’s exactly what you want — cloves should perfume a dish, not dominate it.
The jar deserves mention. It’s not decorative, but it seals tightly and blocks UV light, which are the two biggest enemies of dried spice longevity. After six months in my pantry, the cloves retained most of their potency. That’s not something I can say for every spice purchase.
What buyers consistently praise
The 240 ratings at 4.8 stars reflect real consensus. Many reviewers specifically call out freshness. One buyer noted, “These are potent — way stronger than the ones I got at my local grocery store. A little goes a long way.” Another mentioned using them for mulled cider and tea, praising the resealable jar for keeping the cloves “as fragrant as the day they arrived.”
The value angle comes up repeatedly too. Buyers point out that 2 ounces at this price beats the tiny 0.5-ounce jars at brick-and-mortar stores, especially when you’re using cloves regularly during the holiday season.
Where it falls short
Honesty requires naming the flaws. First, some jars arrive with noticeable debris — broken stems and clove dust settled at the bottom. It doesn’t affect flavor, but if you’re using these as whole-garnish studs in a baked ham, you’ll want to pick through and select the intact buds.
Second, there’s no harvest date or grind date on the label. Amazon’s high turnover means most jars are reasonably fresh, but you’re still trusting the supply chain rather than a verified date. If you’re a spice purist who wants provenance, this will bother you.
Who should buy this
- Home bakers and holiday cooks: The 2-ounce size is perfect for mulled cider, baked hams, and gingerbread-heavy baking season. You won’t run out mid-project.
- Chai and tea enthusiasts: Whole cloves steep beautifully in milk-based chai. The potency holds up across multiple brews.
- Budget-conscious cooks: This beats the tiny supermarket jars on price-per-ounce by a wide margin.
Skip it if you need ground cloves (this is whole only) or if you want organic certification — this product isn’t labeled organic.
FAQ
Q: How long do these cloves stay fresh? A: Properly sealed in the jar, expect 12-18 months of peak potency. After that, they’ll still work but with muted flavor. Whole cloves last significantly longer than ground.
Q: Can I grind these myself? A: Yes. A spice grinder or mortar and pestle works fine. You’ll get fresher ground cloves than any pre-ground jar on the market — just grind what you need.
Q: How many cloves are in the 2-ounce jar? A: Roughly 190-210 whole cloves, depending on individual bud size. That’s enough for 15-20 mulled wine batches or several holiday hams.
The Verdict
Rating: 4.6/5
Buy it if you want reliably potent whole cloves at a fair price without the supermarket markup.
Skip it if you’re a spice provenance purist who needs organic certification or harvest dates on the label.
This is a solid, no-drama pantry staple that delivers where it matters — in the pot, not the packaging. The occasional debris is a minor annoyance, not a dealbreaker. For the price and potency, it earns its place in your spice drawer.
Where to Buy
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Last updated: 2026-08-06. Ratings and prices current as of review date. Verify on Amazon before purchasing.