What is Ceylon Cinnamon?
There are two main varieties of cinnamon, and they come from different plants.
The more common cinnamon, the kind that you eat that has been sprinkled on a donut or vanilla pudding, is made from the bark of an evergreen tree called cassia. This tree is found in countries like China and Indonesia.
Ceylon cinnamon, its scientific name being Cinnamomum verum, is derived from the bark of a small tree that is native to Sri Lanka. The cinnamon that comes from this tree is lighter than cassia cinnamon. Ceylon cinnamon, though not as widely used as cassia, is actually the “true” cinnamon.
What does Ceylon Cinnamon taste like?
Ceylon cinnamon’s flavor is celebrated as more delicate and sweeter than cassia. It is much more subtle when consumed raw and baked. In European bakeries, Ceylon cinnamon is the preferred choice.
How to determine if you have Ceylon cinnamon or Cassia cinnamon
The first determining factor if you have Ceylon cinnamon is that you will notice its color is lighter than the more widely used cinnamon. Ceylon cinnamon is tan brown. When observing the sticks of Ceylon cinnamon, you will notice more papery layers in each cinnamon stick roll.
Which cinnamon is the healthiest?
Ceylon cinnamon is the winner in the health category. Cinnamon is known to have a natural component that acts as a blood thinner called coumarin. Coumarin is found in much higher concentrations in cassia cinnamon, and when consumed in higher amounts, this could be detrimental or toxic to some.
Even though coumarin is found in nature, it has the potential to cause liver damage in those with sensitivities and among those who consume the cassia variety daily.
According to the Paleo Foundation, Cassia cinnamon has much higher levels of coumarin, about 0.4-.8%. This is important to consider if someone is on hepatotoxic medications or preparing for surgery or dental work due to the thinned state of the blood after eating cassia cinnamon.
In contrast, Ceylon cinnamon contains much less coumarin, .03%-.04%. This is why in some European countries, Ceylon cinnamon is the only one available.
Health benefits of Ceylon Cinnamon
Diabetic Medicine published an article that looked at 16 different studies on Ceylon cinnamon. They uncovered the fact that cinnamon is good for diabetics, but cassia cinnamon can be toxic to the liver due to its higher concentration of coumarin.
Ceylon cinnamon is beneficial to diabetics without any toxicity being delivered to the liver and kidneys.
This is just one of many benefits of Ceylon cinnamon. According to the Cleveland Clinic, it also:
- Is high in antioxidants
- Protects against cancers and heart disease
- Strengthens tiny blood vessels called capillaries
- Antimicrobial
- Anti-parasitic
- Reduced blood pressure
- Aids in digestive health
- Rich in manganese which help produce bone repair hormones
2 Highly Rated Ceylon Cinnamon Stick Brands
1. Viva Doria Organic Ceylon Cinnamon Sticks
Why we love Viva Doria Ceylon Cinnamon Sticks:
- Certified Organic
- Raw from Sri Lanka
- Sourced from the highest quality Ceylon cinnamon available
- Highly rated on Amazon at over 220 ratings at 4.5 stars
- 1 pound bag, About 75 sticks
2. Ceylon Flavors Organic Ceylon cinnamon sticks
What we love about Ceylon Flavors Cinnamon Sticks:
- Delicate, sweet flavor
- Small, 1 oz size of 6-7 sticks
- Certified Organic
- From Sri Lanka
- Best Seller on Amazon with over 4600 ratings at 4.5 stars
Why use cinnamon sticks over powdered cinnamon?
Use cinnamon sticks when you want to add flavor and depth to a savory or sweet recipe, while also being able to remove them after a certain amount of time when the desired flavor is achieved. With powdered cinnamon, this option and experimentation is not as easy.
Do Cinnamon Sticks Dissolve?
Cinnamon sticks do not dissolve completely, even after being processed into a powder. This is because they come from tree bark, so they are too fibrous to dissolve, but they will disintegrate somewhat, depending on the length of cooking time, and release flavor as they do.
5 Suggestions on how to use cinnamon sticks
- Put a cinnamon stick in your coffee for a leveled-up taste.
- Flavor oatmeal by adding a cinnamon stick to the pot when cooking.
- Add a stick to the slow cooker when making a roast for another level of spice.
- Put a cinnamon stick in hot water for a soothing cup of Cinnamon Tisane.
- Use as a drink stir
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