Clove variety · Botanical type
Zanzibar type
Also known as Zanzibar clove, Tanzanian clove, Pemba type
Zanzibar and Pemba islands, Tanzania (introduced from Mauritius/Seychelles via French trade, established in Zanzibar by 1812) · Commercial industry selection, no single breeder · Established 1812 onward in Zanzibar
Robust, reliable cropping; large, uniform buds. A dominant global trade standard—the benchmark for commercial clove. Higher yields than forest landraces under managed plantation conditions.
Key facts
| Type | Botanical type |
|---|---|
| Origin | Zanzibar and Pemba islands, Tanzania (introduced from Mauritius/Seychelles via French trade, established in Zanzibar by 1812) |
| Breeder / source | Commercial industry selection, no single breeder |
| Year released | Established 1812 onward in Zanzibar |
| Parentage | Indonesian clove seedlings smuggled to Mauritius (1770) then via Seychelles to Zanzibar (1812); now a vigorous, high-yielding population |
| Yield | Reported yields substantially higher than Indian forest types when grown in plantation setting; exact figures vary with age and management |
| Tolerance | Less shade-dependent than Indonesian forest types. More tolerant of plantation-style management. Not specifically trialed in Indian conditions. |
| Distinctive features | Large, plump, dark buds with good head integrity. Selected over generations for size and uniformity rather than exceptional oil content. |
| Grown in | Tanzania (Zanzibar, Pemba) is the modern centre; also grown in Madagascar, Indonesia; rarely planted in India except as reference or experimental plots |
| Also known as | Zanzibar clove, Tanzanian clove, Pemba type |
Figures are indicative, compiled from public agricultural sources (ICAR institutes, State Agricultural Universities, the Spices Board and the National Innovation Foundation) and vary with soil, season and management. Confirm with your local package of practices.
Zanzibar type in detail
The world's benchmark commercial clove, the Zanzibar type was shaped by generations of plantation selection for large, uniform buds and dependable cropping in the islands' tropical climate.
Origin & story
Clove was introduced to Zanzibar by the early 19th century, established on the islands by around 1812 from stock that reached the western Indian Ocean through French trade (via Mauritius/Seychelles). Under Omani rule, clove plantations were expanded across Zanzibar and Pemba during the 1800s, and by the second half of the century the islands had become leading clove producers, establishing the type as a global commercial standard.
How it grows
Like cloves generally, the trees take several years after planting before they begin bearing and reach full productivity only when mature. Pemba's soils and tropical rainfall suit the crop well, and Pemba accounts for the larger share of Tanzania's clove output. Buds are harvested in the latter part of the year and picked at the last moment before the flowers open, to maximise bud size and maturity.
Quality & character
Large, plump, dark buds with consistent size and uniform appearance—qualities deliberately selected over generations—and good head integrity. The flavour is sweet-spicy with a robust, persistent aroma. The type was selected more for size and uniformity than for exceptional oil content.
Why it matters to buyers
Zanzibar cloves are valued for their uniformity, size, and reliable supply through formal export channels. They suit meat-based dishes and biryanis where a bold, consistent spice note is wanted. The type appeals to buyers seeking a standardised clove with strong aroma and good head integrity, rather than the most intense oil profiles of some other origins.
About clove
Clove in India is a crop of forest gardens and homesteads rather than formal plantations, grown almost entirely from local seedlings in the high-rainfall Western Ghats. There are no widely released commercial varieties from ICAR or SAUs, though the Kanniyakumari Clove earned a Geographical Indication in 2019 for its exceptional oil strength. What India…
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