Kretek (/ˈkrɛtɛk/) are cigarettes of Indonesian origin, made with a blend of tobacco, cloves, and other flavors. It could be with filter or unfiltered. The word "kretek" itself is an onomatopoetic term for the crackling sound of burning cloves.[1]
Partly due to favorable taxation compared to filtered "white" cigarettes,[2] kreteks are by far the most widely smoked form of cigarettes in Indonesia, where they are preferred by about 90% of smokers.[3] In Indonesia, there are hundreds of kretek manufacturers, including small local makers and major brands. Most of the widely known international brands, including Sampoerna, Bentoel, Minak Djinggo, Djarum, Gudang Garam, and Wismilak originate from Indonesia. Nat Sherman of the United States produced cigarettes branded as "A Touch of Clove" but they were not true kreteks, since there was clove flavoring infused into small crystals located inside the filter, rather than actual clove spice mixed with the tobacco.[4]
Kreteks often serve as a base for Indonesian herbal cigarettes, by adding various herbs in addition to clove spice.