My local Indian supermarket owner (here in Las Vegas) has always been very knowledgeable.  However, I would like to double check on something that he has told me.

I have a few recipes that use both cloves AND lovage and he tells me that they are the same thing.

Is this true?  if it is not, do you have any idea what I should be asking for when I ask him for lovage?

Thanks.

No. Most definately not. Cloves is cloves.

Lovage is a spice/herb in its own right and is very often confused with Carom or Ajwain seeds but the taste is completely different.

If an Indian recipe calls for lovage seed it means Ajwain (Carom).

Real lovage is not usually used in Indian cookery and also often confused with onion seed.

SnS  :

Hi pforkes

The subject is covered here:

https://curry-recipes.co.uk/curry/index.php?topic=2454.msg21360#msg21360