Whole cloves are intensely aromatic with a sweet, pungent flavor that enhances mulling and pickling spices, stews, and pot roasts. A favorite for the holidays, they add warmth to mulled cider, red wine, and eggnog, or can be used to stud a glazed ham for festive flair. Cloves are essential in Vietnamese pho, Chinese five-spice powder, Indian garam masala, curries, and chai tea.