Cloves Have A Numbing Effect, But You Probably Won't Notice

Cloves are a wonderful spice noted for their intense taste. Flavorwise, they have a medicinal, woody, and almost minty quality that makes them stand out in any dish. Cloves are a staple of many cuisines. Indo-British cuisine famously uses Wor­cester­shire sauce, which is a clove-based seasoning. 

Famous spice blends such as Chinese five spice, pumpkin spice, and Indian garam masala also utilize this intense spice. There's no denying how popular cloves are despite their "exotic" flavor profile.  That said, not everybody's a fan.

The strong flavor may rub some people's taste buds the wrong way. In fact, another subtle effect cloves have on the mouth contributes to that odd feeling. Cloves actually have a very subtle numbing property, so slight in fact that most people won't notice. Once they are told of its existence however, they might start to feel that numbness after their next pumpkin spice latte.

Eugenol may sound like something that belongs in a medicine cabinet rather than a spice shelf, but it's true. The primary cause of that numbing sensation is the presence of eugenol within cloves. In fact, eugenol accounts for up to 85% of the spice's essential oils. That's exactly why cloves have such an intense flavor, and in ancient times, cloves were used as a mild anesthetic for toothaches, according to McCormick Science Institute.

Of course, the numbing properties only start being felt in large or pure quantities. Most people won't add enough cloves to their dish that it knocks the feeling out of their mouths. Ground cloves are significantly more intense than whole cloves, but even that's not quite enough. Cloves would have to be in oil form to grant medical relief, according to Healthline. Basically, while it's possible for your mouth to feel numbness from too many cloves, it won't feel like a trip to the emergency room.

Sure, the number of cloves people put in their dish won't shut down their nervous system, but that doesn't mean cloves can't overpower a dish. Too many cloves in a dish and cloves are all that people are going to taste, no matter how many other spices you put beforehand. The food might even taste so bad that people wish their mouths were numb. 

So remember, the next time you're seasoning a dish with cloves, don't be generous unless the recipe calls for it. Unlike salt and pepper, cloves aren't enhancing the existing flavor. Instead, they're adding a completely different flavor profile altogether, diversifying the dish's taste. 

Be stingy with seasoning, then taste to your preference. Also, remember to ask the people you're feeding if they're a fan of cloves. Much like cilantro, it can be an acquired taste. It's best to be sensitive to what your guests want. If you're by yourself, then it's a fun time to experiment with cloves.