The clove actually isn’t a stick or piece of wood, but actually a dried and unopened flower. These flowers are originally native to the Moluccas, a chain of volcanic islands near Indonesia. Few people ever see the delicate red flowers due to the spice’s popularity. The clove is used in nearly all world cuisines. While Asian, African, and Middle Eastern countries tend to lean toward its use in savory foods, in Europe and the Americas it’s often used in breads and sweets.