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A guide to the cinnamon spice. A sweet, warming and popular kitchen spice.
When we think of cinnamon, we usually conjure up images such as warm just-baked cinnamon biscuits, hot milk or cocoa sprinkled with cinnamon or a homemade apple pie containing sweet pieces of apple dusted with cinnamon and drizzled with homemade custard.
Cinnamon is a warming, sweet and exotic spice that we perhaps associate with cold wintry nights made more pleasant sat by a warm fire and an aroma of cinnamon in the air.
Cinnamon is also one of the main ingredients of mulled wine, a hot, spicy and fruity red wine warmer, most typically served at Christmas time or Bonfire Night.
Cinnamon is a warming, sweet and exotic spice that we perhaps associate with cold wintry nights made more pleasant sat by a warm fire and an aroma of cinnamon in the air.
Cinnamon is also one of the main ingredients of mulled wine, a hot, spicy and fruity red wine warmer, most typically served at Christmas time or Bonfire Night.
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What is cinnamon?
Cinnamon is an aromatic and warm spice that is available in two forms - the cinnamon stick or ground cinnamon powder.
The spice is actually obtained from the inner bark of the cinnamon tree. The bark is stripped from the tree and allowed to dry in the sun. Whilst drying, it rolls up into a quill and this is what we know as a cinnamon stick. Some of the quills are then ground down into a powder and this is what we know as ground cinnamon.
There are two main types of cinnamon that are used in cooking today, although around one hundred different types of cinnamon tree actually exist in the world.
True cinnamon (Ceylon cinnamon), which has a lighter, sweeter and more delicate flavour, is native to Sri Lanka where it is very popular in savoury dishes such as curries. It is also produced in India, the Caribbean and Brazil. We would use this sweet cinnamon in all types of cakes, biscuits, crumbles and breads.
The other main type of cinnamon is obtained from the cassia tree, which is found in Southeast Asia in countries such as Indonesia, Burma, China and Vietnam.
Cassia (Chinese cinnamon) is less expensive than the true cinnamon and perhaps spicier and more pungent. It is therefore preferred in exotic meat dishes, curries and other savoury foods.
The spice is actually obtained from the inner bark of the cinnamon tree. The bark is stripped from the tree and allowed to dry in the sun. Whilst drying, it rolls up into a quill and this is what we know as a cinnamon stick. Some of the quills are then ground down into a powder and this is what we know as ground cinnamon.
There are two main types of cinnamon that are used in cooking today, although around one hundred different types of cinnamon tree actually exist in the world.
True cinnamon (Ceylon cinnamon), which has a lighter, sweeter and more delicate flavour, is native to Sri Lanka where it is very popular in savoury dishes such as curries. It is also produced in India, the Caribbean and Brazil. We would use this sweet cinnamon in all types of cakes, biscuits, crumbles and breads.
The other main type of cinnamon is obtained from the cassia tree, which is found in Southeast Asia in countries such as Indonesia, Burma, China and Vietnam.
Cassia (Chinese cinnamon) is less expensive than the true cinnamon and perhaps spicier and more pungent. It is therefore preferred in exotic meat dishes, curries and other savoury foods.
The history of cinnamon
Cinnamon is one of the oldest spices around. It was mentioned in ancient Chinese writings of at least 2700 years old and also features several times in the Bible. The Egyptians imported cinnamon from China and used it not only as a medicine and food enhancer but also as an embalming agent. It was considered as precious as gold by many.
For the Romans cinnamon was just as sacred and important. It was burned at funerals and it is said that the Emperor Nero burnt a whole years supply at the funeral of his wife Poppaea.
Cinnamon was one of the first spices to be traded between Asia and Europe and the fact that Venetian merchants controlled the entire cinnamon trade in Europe fuelled other European explorers to travel afar in search of other ways of obtaining the precious spice.
After the Portuguese discovered Sri Lanka (Ceylon) at the end of the 15th century and took control of the cinnamon trade there, the Dutch removed them from power a century later, followed by the British in 1796. Since then the importance of the cinnamon trade declined, as cinnamon began to be produced and cultivated in other areas.
For the Romans cinnamon was just as sacred and important. It was burned at funerals and it is said that the Emperor Nero burnt a whole years supply at the funeral of his wife Poppaea.
Cinnamon was one of the first spices to be traded between Asia and Europe and the fact that Venetian merchants controlled the entire cinnamon trade in Europe fuelled other European explorers to travel afar in search of other ways of obtaining the precious spice.
After the Portuguese discovered Sri Lanka (Ceylon) at the end of the 15th century and took control of the cinnamon trade there, the Dutch removed them from power a century later, followed by the British in 1796. Since then the importance of the cinnamon trade declined, as cinnamon began to be produced and cultivated in other areas.
Therapeutic uses of cinnamon
Cinnamon is probably best well known medicinally for two main reasons. First of all cinnamon is highly antiseptic. This due to the high content of phenol and means that cinnamon can be used as a very effective mouthwash. Secondly, as it is a warming spice, it is often very useful as a cold or flu remedy.
Other therapeutic properties of cinnamon include the following:
Other therapeutic properties of cinnamon include the following:
- Cinnamon soothes stomach and digestive complaints such as flatulence, indigestion, heartburn and stomach cramps.
- It is an excellent medicine for colds, congestion, temperature and flu.
- Research has shown that cinnamon is effective against fungus and yeast infections.
- Cinnamon can be used to lower fever by promoting seating.
- Cinnamon oil can be used to treat chest infections and catarrh.
- It can help improve blood circulation around the body especially to the hands and feet.
- Cinnamon is an aid for weak digestion.
- It can help reduce pain caused by arthritis, rheumatism and muscle pain.
- Cinnamon is a calming herb and can reduce anxiety, depression and stress.
- It can help with sickness, nausea and vomiting.
- Cinnamon can stimulate menstrual bleeding and help regulate periods.
- It has been proved to lower high blood pressure.
- Chewing cinnamon sticks can relieve toothache and freshen the breath.
- Cinnamon is effective in the prevention of blood clots.
- Cinnamon has been proven to regulate blood sugar levels in people with type-2 diabetes and also to improve their response to insulin.
- Cinnamon is a good source of manganese, iron and calcium, which are all vital minerals required for a healthy body.
Buying and storing cinnamon
Ground cinnamon is probably the more popular variety of cinnamon in most European and North American countries.
Ground cinnamon is stronger in flavour when compared to the cinnamon stick. It can be bought in glass jars and will stay fresh for about 6 months.
Cinnamon sticks, on the other hand, have a more delicate flavour and are popular in Asian cuisines. They will keep fresh for about a year when stored correctly in an airtight glass container or jar.
Ground cinnamon is stronger in flavour when compared to the cinnamon stick. It can be bought in glass jars and will stay fresh for about 6 months.
Cinnamon sticks, on the other hand, have a more delicate flavour and are popular in Asian cuisines. They will keep fresh for about a year when stored correctly in an airtight glass container or jar.
Ideas for using cinnamon in the kitchen
Cinnamon is usually paired with apples and added to other sweet ingredients. However, if you are feeling adventurous, you could always try a few Middle Eastern or Asian recipes that include cinnamon in a great number of savoury dishes.
Below are several ideas to get you started:
Below are several ideas to get you started:
- Add cinnamon to homemade biscuit and cake mixture.
- Sprinkle cinnamon onto apple pie or crumble.
- Use cinnamon in a mulled wine recipe.
- Flavour sweet bread dough with cinnamon.
- Make your own cinnamon ice cream or yoghurt.
- Add cinnamon to cereal.
- Sprinkle cinnamon onto hot chocolate or warm milk or add a cinnamon stick to stir.
- Add cinnamon to sweet rice, chopped fruit and nuts.
- Make a tea out of cinnamon sticks.
- Use cinnamon for hot beef curries and biriyanis.
- Add ground cinnamon to stewed apples, pears, prunes and apricots.
- Sprinkle cinnamon over fried bread dipped in beaten egg.
- Sprinkle sugar and cinnamon over freshly fried doughnuts.
- Add to rice pudding or other milk puddings and desserts.
- Use for marinades for lamb or beef.
Cinnamon Recipes
A number of recipes for sweet and savoury dishes that contain cinnamon including lamb tagine, cinnamon ice cream and mulled wine.
You don't need an ice cream maker to prepare this delicious homemade ice cream. Serve with baked apples, poached pears or on its own.
Many North African savoury dishes contain a number of sweet tasting spices within them to give them an exotic and exciting kick.
This is an excellent dessert for a dinner party or a special occasion and it is very easy to prepare, although you will need several hours to do so.
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