Cloves

A clove without its head is a clove that has lost most of its eugenol, which is why headless percentage is the figure on the contract rather than a cosmetic note. Extraction buyers care about it directly; retail packers care because a headless-heavy lot looks poor in a glass jar.

Supplied hand-picked and machine-cleaned, with headless content stated per lot.

What to fix on the specification

• Headless percentage: the head carries most of the eugenol. This is the value figure.
• Volatile oil or eugenol: for extraction and for strong-flavour applications.
• Stem and foreign matter.
• Moisture: 12% maximum.
• Hand-picked or machine-cleaned, stated.

Headless content is not a cosmetic note. A headless-heavy lot is both weaker and worse-looking, which is why extraction buyers and retail packers both put it on the contract. Extraction and oleoresins covers the yield side.