Harvesting and processing of Cloves (E)
The unopened buds are harvested when they are plump and rounded and before they turn pink. At this stage, they are less than 2 cm long. The opened flowers are not valued as a spice.The harvested flower buds are separated from the clusters by hand and spread in the drying yard for drying. The correct stage of drying is reached when the stem of the bud is dark brown and the rest of the bud is light brown in colour. Well dried cloves weigh about one-third the weight of fresh cloves.
