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Clove oil

Clove oil suppliers and sourcing guide

Clove oil is steam-distilled from parts of the clove tree, Syzygium aromaticum (Eugenia caryophyllata), grown mainly in Indonesia and Madagascar. Clove bud oil, from the dried flower buds, has the fullest and most expensive profile; clove leaf oil and clove stem oil are cheaper and used where eugenol content matters more than nuance. All are dominated by eugenol, and eugenol itself is isolated from them. Uses include baked goods, meat seasonings, oral care and fragrance.

See suppliersWhat to ask for on the COA
Also known as
Clove bud oil · Clove leaf oil · Eugenia caryophyllata oil · Syzygium aromaticum oil · CAS 8000-34-8
Facts checked
November 2026

Forms and grades of clove oil

Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.

  • Clove bud oil

    Distilled from dried buds; the premium grade for food flavors.

  • Clove leaf oil

    Distilled from leaves, high in eugenol, widely used as a lower-cost option and as a eugenol source.

  • Clove stem oil

    Distilled from stems, between bud and leaf oil in profile and price.

  • Rectified

    Redistilled oil with lighter color and cleaner odor.

  • Organic

    Certified organic clove bud or leaf oil.

What to check on the COA

Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.

GC profile
Gas chromatography of eugenol, eugenyl acetate, beta-caryophyllene and other markers, which also distinguishes bud from leaf oil.
Physical constants
Specific gravity, refractive index and optical rotation at a stated temperature, compared with the supplier's specification or the Food Chemicals Codex monograph where one exists.
Eugenol assay
Total phenols or eugenol content by GC or the Food Chemicals Codex method, the main grading value.
Appearance and odor
Color, clarity and odor against a retained standard; off-notes often show up before the GC profile shifts.
Heavy metals
Lead and arsenic, typically by ICP-MS, against the supplier's specification.

Storage, lots and expiry

Storage and shelf life

Keep the oil in full, tightly closed amber glass, aluminum or lined steel containers, cool and out of light; headspace air oxidizes terpenes and dulls the odor. Blanket partly used drums with nitrogen where possible. Shelf life is set by the supplier's specification, and older stock is usually retested for odor, peroxide value and GC profile before use. Clove oil darkens on contact with iron, so avoid unlined steel.

Lots and expiry dates

Eugenol and eugenyl acetate vary by plant part, origin and rectification, and leaf oil is sometimes sold as bud oil. Record plant part, origin and GC profile per lot.

Regulatory status

Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.

  • 21 CFR 184.1257 lists clove derivatives, including essential oils from buds, leaves and stems and eugenol, and affirms clove and its derivatives as GRAS for use as flavoring agents and adjuvants.

    Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)

  • 21 CFR 184.1257 requires clove bud oil, clove leaf oil, clove stem oil and eugenol to meet Food Chemicals Codex specifications and limits use to levels not exceeding good manufacturing practice.

    Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)

  • FDA's Substances Added to Food inventory lists clove bud oil (CAS 8000-34-8) and clove leaf oil (CAS 8015-97-2) with the technical effect flavoring agent or adjuvant, citing 21 CFR 184.1257.

    Source: hfpappexternal.fda.gov (opens in a new tab)

This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.

Clove oil suppliers

Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.

We are checking clove oil suppliers now

Every listing is checked against the supplier’s own website before it goes live, so this list fills in over the coming weeks. The specs and COA checklist above are ready today.

Sell clove oil? Request a listing

Frequently asked questions

What forms of clove oil can brands buy?

Common forms include clove bud oil, clove leaf oil, clove stem oil, rectified and organic. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.

What should the COA for clove oil include?

Expect gC profile, physical constants, eugenol assay, appearance and odor and heavy metals, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.

How should clove oil be stored?

Keep the oil in full, tightly closed amber glass, aluminum or lined steel containers, cool and out of light; headspace air oxidizes terpenes and dulls the odor. Blanket partly used drums with nitrogen where possible. Shelf life is set by the supplier's specification, and older stock is usually retested for odor, peroxide value and GC profile before use. Clove oil darkens on contact with iron, so avoid unlined steel.

What is the regulatory status of clove oil?

21 CFR 184.1257 lists clove derivatives, including essential oils from buds, leaves and stems and eugenol, and affirms clove and its derivatives as GRAS for use as flavoring agents and adjuvants. 21 CFR 184.1257 requires clove bud oil, clove leaf oil, clove stem oil and eugenol to meet Food Chemicals Codex specifications and limits use to levels not exceeding good manufacturing practice. FDA's Substances Added to Food inventory lists clove bud oil (CAS 8000-34-8) and clove leaf oil (CAS 8015-97-2) with the technical effect flavoring agent or adjuvant, citing 21 CFR 184.1257.

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