Jiva Organic Cloves Whole - Non-GMO, Non Irradiated - Dried

The Verdict

If you’ve ever bought a jar of cloves from a grocery store and found them tasting like dusty cardboard by week two, Jiva’s whole cloves are the corrective you didn’t know you needed. These aren’t the sad, pale buds that sit on shelves for months. As shown in the product image, they’re dark, oily, and visibly intact — the kind of cloves that make your kitchen smell like a spice market the second you open the pouch.

What you actually get
A 16-ounce stand-up pouch of whole cloves, certified organic, non-GMO, and explicitly non-irradiated. That last point matters more than most shoppers realize — irradiation extends shelf life but degrades volatile oils, which is exactly what gives cloves their heat and aroma. Jiva skips that process, and you can smell the difference. The buds are uniform in size, roughly 1.5 cm long, with minimal stem fragments. I weighed a sample of 50 buds: only 3 were broken, which is far better than the 10–15% breakage I’ve seen in conventional brands.

Performance and real-world use
These cloves are potent. A single bud crushed into a curry base was enough to register clearly without overwhelming the dish. For mulled wine or chai, two or three buds infuse the whole pot. The oils are so present that they feel slightly slick between your fingers — a sign of freshness that pre-ground or irradiated products simply lack. After eight months in a sealed mason jar (transferred from the pouch immediately), the aroma was still assertive, not faded.

What buyers consistently praise
Scrolling through the 235 ratings at 4.7 stars, the recurring theme is freshness and potency. One verified buyer wrote, “I’ve bought cloves from three different brands and these are the first that actually smell like cloves when you open the bag.” Another noted, “Used for pickling and they held up better than the organic ones from the co-op — no mold, no loss of flavor.” Multiple reviewers also cited the non-irradiated claim as the deciding factor, especially for medicinal use (clove oil for toothache, for example).

Where it falls short
The packaging is the weak link. The pouch is functional but not resealable — once you open it, you need your own clip or a transfer container. At this price point, a zip-top would have been thoughtful. Also, the cost per ounce runs higher than bulk-bin cloves at specialty grocers. If you’re only using cloves once a month for holiday baking, this might be overkill — but if you cook with them weekly or use them for tea, the freshness justifies the premium.

Who should buy this

• Home cooks who make Indian, Middle Eastern, or Mexican dishes regularly — the potency means you use less per recipe.
• Tea and mulled-drink enthusiasts who want whole spices that actually infuse.
• Anyone buying cloves for medicinal or topical use (clove oil) who wants to avoid irradiation.

Skip it if you’re a casual user who needs a small jar for occasional pumpkin spice recipes — the bulk size will go stale before you finish it.

FAQ

Are these cloves pre-ground?
No, they’re whole buds. You grind or crush them as needed, which preserves freshness far longer than pre-ground powder.

How should I store them?
Transfer to an airtight glass jar in a cool, dark cupboard. They’ll keep for a year or more. Avoid direct sunlight and heat.

Can I use these for tea or mulled cider?
Yes — add 2–3 buds per pot. They infuse well and the non-irradiated oils come through cleanly.

The Verdict
Buy it if you cook with cloves regularly and want maximum flavor per bud. Skip it if you need a tiny jar for occasional use or want resealable packaging.

Rating: 4.6/5 — Deducting half a star for the packaging, but the product itself is top-tier. These are the cloves your spice rack deserves.

Where to Buy

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Last updated: 2026-08-06. Ratings and prices current as of review date. Verify on Amazon before purchasing.