Here’s what happens: When cloves (which are dried flower buds) are inserted into the flesh of an onion, the two ingredients begin to interact on a chemical level. The onion releases its moisture and sulfuric compounds. The cloves release their own potent oils and aromatic compounds, most notably eugenol — a natural antiseptic and antifungal agent.

Together, they create a natural diffuser, preservative, and flavor enhancer. Sounds like magic? It kind of is.

But here’s where things get really interesting.

Reason #1: It Makes Your Broth and Stews Taste Incredible
This trick is actually rooted in classic French cuisine. Ever heard of “clouté”? It’s French for “studded,” and refers to an onion pierced with cloves, often used when making stocks, sauces, and soups.

Chefs do this because it infuses dishes with subtle warmth, spice, and depth — all without overpowering the core flavors. Instead of dropping cloves into your broth and risking biting into one later (ouch), clouting an onion gives you the flavor without the mess.

Try adding a clove-studded onion to your next pot of chicken broth or beef stew. After simmering for a few hours, the broth will have a deeper, richer flavor, with just a hint of warmth that you probably won’t be able to identify — but you’ll taste the difference.

Reason #2: It Naturally Freshens the Air in Your Kitchen
Forget artificial air fresheners and chemical sprays. A clove-studded onion naturally absorbs odors while releasing its own spicy, clean scent.

My grandmother used to place one on a small dish near the stove. She said it kept the kitchen from smelling too “fishy” after cooking seafood or fried foods. Turns out, she was right.

Onions are natural odor absorbers, and cloves are naturally antimicrobial. Combined, they purify the air and leave behind a slightly sweet, earthy aroma — no electricity, no plastic cartridges, no synthetic fragrance.

Reason #3: It Keeps Pests Away
Here’s a trick that blew my mind: placing a clove-studded onion in your pantry or near fruit bowls can repel flies and other insects.

Cloves are known for deterring moths, ants, and even mice thanks to their strong scent. When embedded in an onion, their effectiveness is amplified. Some homesteaders even place clove-studded onions in corners of rooms as a low-key insect deterrent.

It may look odd — but it works. And it’s completely non-toxic and safe around food.

Reason #4: It’s a Natural Cold and Flu Remedy
Old-school remedies still hold weight, and this one is no exception.

Onions and cloves both have antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties. While you might not want to eat the onion raw once it’s full of cloves, simmering it into a tea or broth during cold season can do wonders for sore throats and congestion.

My grandmother’s recipe?

One onion, peeled and studded with 6–10 whole cloves

Simmered in water with a bit of lemon and honey

Strained and sipped warm

It doesn’t taste like candy, but it works. After a cup, your sinuses will thank you.

Reason #5: It Lasts for Days (Even Weeks)
One of the most surprising parts? These little onions hold up. The cloves act like natural preservatives, slowing down the onion’s degradation. I’ve left one out for over a week, and not only did it stay intact, but it also continued to fill the kitchen with a subtle, clean scent.

Some people even make decorative versions of this — pushing cloves into red onions and tying them with ribbon to hang in the pantry or on hooks. They look rustic and smell fantastic.