My grandmother always sticks cloves into the onion, and here’s why.

There are cooking techniques that seem innocuous… until the day you discover their secret. That’s exactly what happened to me with a funny habit of my grandmother’s: every time she made soup or broth, she would gently stick one or two cloves into a whole onion. At the time, I thought it was strange. But once I tasted the dish, I understood: this little gesture changes everything. And since then, I can’t do without it.

A French culinary tradition

The French have a knack for elevating even the simplest things. And an onion studded with cloves is a delicious example. In traditional cuisine, especially in autumn and winter when fresh herbs are scarce, simple yet effective techniques are used to enrich dishes . This little treasure is called a ” clouté ,” a fitting term for an onion infused with the aroma of these potent, dried flowers .

Cloves + onion: a magic duo

Why does this combination work so well? First, because cloves are a powerful spice. Used sparingly, they develop a warm, slightly sweet, and resinous aroma that adds depth to any dish. Studded into an onion, they gently infuse their flavors without overpowering them, just enough to enhance the other flavors.

The result? Your homemade broths, vegetable soups or sauces gain in aromatic richness, without overdoing it.