It is that woody-looking spice that you often find whole in rice and other dishes at restaurants. Chillies, of course, are available fresh and are absolutely wonderful. But dried chillies have a unique taste and many uses. Heat whole dried Bird Eye chillies in some oil until they increase in size. The frying enhances their flavour.
Cloves are the dried flower buds of a tropical tree and are a well known ingredient in sweet dishes.
Many curry and rice dishes use whole cloves and they are often used in the making of garam masala. One of the most common ingredients in curries and other Asian dishes. If the seeds are dry roasted their flavour changes and becomes warmer and less astringent. Universally used in Asian and Mexican cuisine. Used in pilau rice in good curry restaurants.