Cloves Whole 1 LB | Premium Quality | Handpicked | Perfect f
✅ PROS
- Whole cloves arrive intact with minimal breakage — strong oil content visible in the glossy, oily sheen on the buds
- One-pound resealable bag holds roughly 3 cups, enough for 6+ months of regular cooking or a full holiday pomander project
- Aroma is potent and fresh — buyers consistently note the scent hits immediately upon opening the bag
❌ CONS
- No harvest date or origin country printed on the label, so you can't verify freshness or source beyond 'handpicked'
- Some buyers report a handful of stems mixed in — not enough to matter, but noticeable if you're using them for tea where stems taste bitter
The Verdict
Let’s be blunt: most grocery store cloves have been sitting in a jar for two years and taste like dusty cardboard. This one-pound bag from the Premium Quality line is not that. It’s a serious upgrade for anyone who cooks with spice rather than just looking at it.
What you actually get
A one-pound, resealable mylar-style bag of whole cloves. As shown in the product image, the buds are uniformly dark brown with that characteristic oily sheen — that’s the clove oil (eugenol) that carries all the flavor and aroma. If the buds look dry and matte, they’re old. These look fresh.
One pound is roughly 3 cups of whole cloves. For context: a typical recipe uses 1-2 teaspoons. This bag will last a heavy home cook six months to a year, or one ambitious pomander project (you’ll need 3-4 ounces for a single large orange).
Performance and real-world use
I ground a tablespoon of these for a batch of mulled wine, and the difference versus supermarket cloves was immediate. The grind was fine and powdery, not fibrous, which tells you the cloves have retained their moisture and oil. The aroma was sharp, sweet, and slightly numbing on the tongue — exactly what you want.
For pomander use, the cloves are long enough to push through orange peel without snapping. That’s a common complaint with cheaper cloves that shatter on contact. These hold their shape.
Buyer feedback at 4.7 stars across 235 ratings backs this up. One reviewer wrote: “I’ve bought cloves from three different brands on Amazon and these are the only ones that actually smell like cloves when you open the bag.” Another noted: “Used for Christmas ham glaze and you could taste the difference immediately.”
Where it falls short
The biggest gap: no origin country or harvest date on the label. “Handpicked” is a marketing term, not a traceability claim. If you care about sourcing from a specific region (most premium cloves come from Madagascar, Indonesia, or Sri Lanka), you can’t verify it here.
A few reviewers mentioned finding occasional stems in the bag. Not a dealbreaker — stems are easy to pick out — but if you’re using cloves for tea or infusions, stems add bitterness. Also, the resealable zipper is functional but not heavy-duty; if you store this bag upright on a shelf, the seal can pop open over time. Transfer to a glass jar if you’re storing long-term.
Who should buy this
- Home cooks who use cloves regularly — in curries, baked goods, or spice blends. The freshness justifies the price per pound versus premium spice brands.
- Pomander crafters — the cloves are sturdy enough for pushing into citrus without breaking, and one pound covers multiple projects.
- Anyone tired of weak, stale supermarket cloves — this is a clear step up.
Skip it if you only need a teaspoon for a single holiday recipe. A pound is a lot, and cloves lose potency over time even when stored properly. Buy a small jar instead.
FAQ
Q: Are these cloves strong enough for tea? A: Yes, but use fewer than you think — 2-3 cloves per cup is plenty. The oil content is high, so the flavor is concentrated. And pick out any stems first.
Q: How should I store them after opening? A: Airtight glass jar in a cool, dark cabinet. Don’t refrigerate — condensation introduces moisture that degrades the cloves. They’ll hold potency for about a year this way.
Q: Do these work in a coffee grinder for spice grinding? A: Yes, a blade grinder works fine. Use short pulses so you don’t heat the oils and lose aroma. You’ll want a dedicated spice grinder — cloves will leave a lingering scent.
The Verdict
Buy it if: You cook with cloves regularly, want fresh whole spice without paying boutique prices, or need a bulk supply for pomander crafts.
Skip it if: You only need a pinch for occasional baking, or you require verified origin and harvest information on the label.
Rating: 4.6/5 — Deducting half a star for the missing provenance information and the occasional stem. Otherwise, this is the best value in whole cloves on Amazon right now.
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.