My grandmother always puts cloves in onions – here’s why this French technique changes everything.

The science of taste: why do cloves and onions go well together?

Cloves are among the most potent spices. They are renowned for their warm, slightly floral aroma. However, if you add them directly to a soup, you risk them overpowering the entire dish or, even worse, someone accidentally biting into a whole clove.

Here’s what happens when you cook with a hot onion:

• The heat releases the essential oils from the clove.
• The onion releases its natural sweetness when cooked, while also softening the spiciness of the clove.
• Together they create a harmonious base note that enhances the meat, vegetables and broth without masking the other ingredients.

Possible uses of the prickly onion: