Clove (Syzygium aromaticum) originates from the Maluku Islands and has been used for thousands of years in medicine, cuisine, and rituals. Since the 3rd century BCE, it has been traded to China, India, and the Middle East. During the 15th–17th centuries, European powers like the Portuguese and Dutch monopolized the clove trade. After the monopoly collapsed, clove cultivation spread to Africa and Asia. Today, Indonesia remains the leading producer, mainly for the kretek cigarette industry, essential oils, and pharmaceuticals.