A very old and important Indian spice, the clove was known before the time of the early Egyptians. It is grown in Tropical regions of the world. Cloves have an assertive, dark aroma that is warm and rich. Tasted on its own, a clove is bitingly sharp, hot and bitter and it leaves a lasting numb sensation in the mouth. The oil of cloves is used in dentistry to soothe toothache, and its antiseptic properties are well known.