The Secret Ingredient, Why My Grandmother Always Stuck Cloves into an Onion

My grandmother had a charming and mysterious habit in her cozy, spice-filled kitchen: before she began cooking, she would always take an unpeeled onion and carefully pierce it with several cloves. As a child, I watched with wide-eyed curiosity, not understanding why she did it—but always fascinated by the quiet ritual. Years later, while preparing meals in my own kitchen, I finally grasped the brilliance behind her method.

This age-old technique is known in classical French cuisine as oignon piqué. It involves inserting whole cloves into an onion—often along with a bay leaf—to gently infuse soups, stews, sauces, or broths with a subtle, layered depth of flavor. The onion brings a mellow sweetness, while the cloves offer warm, earthy spice that never overwhelms but lingers just enough to enhance every bite.

Cloves, harvested as dried flower buds from the Syzygium aromaticum tree, owe their distinctive aroma to a compound called eugenol. This compound isn’t just flavorful—it’s also known for its therapeutic properties. When simmered slowly, cloves release their essence gradually, marrying perfectly with other ingredients and creating a harmonious, nuanced taste.

There’s a practical side, too. By anchoring the cloves in an onion, you can easily remove them before serving, sparing guests from accidentally biting into their bold flavor. It also offers better control over intensity and adds a rustic charm to the cooking process—a small detail that makes even the most routine meal feel special.

To this day, this tradition lives on in my kitchen. I’ll pierce an onion with a few cloves before dropping it into a simmering broth or adding it to a creamy béchamel sauce. Whether it’s enriching rice, stews, or Sunday roasts, this simple touch always elevates the dish—and brings me closer to my grandmother with every stir of the spoon.

It’s a quiet act, a humble gesture—but one that turns ordinary cooking into something rich with heritage, flavor, and love.