From gooey Christmas morning cinnamon rolls to snickerdoodles, gingersnaps, spice cake and eggnog, cinnamon is a flavor we all associate with the holiday season. But before you go stocking your pantry for your holiday baking this year, take note: All those different bottles of cinnamon you'll find at the supermarket are not created equally. Here's what you need to know.
What Is Cinnamon, Actually?
True cinnamon is Ceylon soft bark cinnamon (also known as Cinnamomum verum), which is made from the actual bark of a tree native to the islands of Sri Lanka, near the southern tip of India. This beloved spice has both benefited and plagued the people of Sri Lanka, putting them in a literal tug-of-spice war started hundreds of years ago with the Portuguese, says chef Elizabeth Johnson, researcher and owner of Pharm Table, an apothecary restaurant in San Antonio that's based on a global spice library.
"What has ensued is deforestation and over-harvesting of a precious global spice that has made its way into the DNA of many global cuisines," she adds. Ceylon cinnamon has been lauded for its ability to stabilize blood sugar as well as its perceived sweetness.
So What’s the “Fake” Cinnamon?
A plant called cassia (Cinnamomum cassia), by contrast, is native to southern China and spans a much larger territory, making it more readily available—and way cheaper. This is the stuff you often see sold as cinnamon sticks, says Johnson. Neither the aroma, flavor or texture are the same as that of Ceylon cinnamon, but the FDA doesn't distinguish between the two. That's why both show up in stores as just cinnamon.
You can technically use cassia and Ceylon interchangeably in recipes, and each will provide a slightly different flavor profile and intensity. But, most people probably won't be able to tell. "Ceylon cinnamon is heady, sweet and spicy," says nutritionist and former BBC food professional Gina Waggott, while cassia is more robust. "It's a bit like the difference between a dark-roast coffee and a regular one," she adds.
Flavor differences aside, this is the part worth paying attention to: All cinnamons have some amount of a natural compound called coumarin, which imparts flavor, but the amount found in cassia is considerably higher than that in Ceylon. And while having too much coumarin has been linked to liver damage, cassia is considered safe in small amounts (up to 1 teaspoon per day)—way more than you're likely consuming in a serving of baked goods.
Fillers in Cinnamon
Many cheaper cinnamons also add fillers. These can really be any additive that helps bulk up the product. (So that $2 bargain bottle you picked up? Not such a good deal after all.) Some companies will use an anti-caking agent to help lengthen the shelf life and prevent the spice from caking up inside the bottle. "When used in excess, though, they fill the bottle with less-expensive material that doesn't add flavor, but helps reduce costs," says Steve Finnie, brand director with Spice Islands. One type of filler for cinnamon could be another type of bark that's not rich in oils, which will dampen the flavor of the true oil-rich cinnamon bark.
How to Buy High-Quality Cinnamon
If you want to ensure that your baked goods are made with true cinnamon, buy Ceylon sticks and make your own ground cinnamon. Waggott, who formerly worked in spice importing, always buys spices whole and grinds them herself. "The spice dealer I used to import nutmeg from said he'd never use pre-ground spices, ever," she says. A simple grinder like (which you can also use for coffee beans) will do the trick.
If that sounds like too much effort, do your research ahead of time to find reputable brands that sell true Ceylon cinnamon—for example, Naturevibe Botanicals or Simply Organic. True cinnamon is more tan-brown in color, while cassia has a reddish-brown hue. And if you open the package and find a smell that's not exactly pungent, that's a good thing. True cinnamon is delicate and sweet, creating a subtle flavor while not overpowering the rest of your ingredients.
FAQs
True cinnamon is more tan-brown in color, while cassia has a reddish-brown hue. And if you open the package and find a smell that's not exactly pungent, that's a good thing. True cinnamon is delicate and sweet, creating a subtle flavor while not overpowering the rest of your ingredients.
Is McCormick cinnamon real cinnamon? ›
The cinnamon bark is harvested directly from the tree—McCormick sources premium quality whole cinnamon, which mitigates the chance for added ingredients and contamination that could be encountered by sourcing a pre-ground product.
Is store bought cinnamon real cinnamon? ›
Despite the end of the Vietnam trade embargo in 1994, most store-brand cinnamon is a far cry from the real stuff. Commercially available ground cinnamon – almost always the Indonesian Korintje variety – is often mixed with fillers.
How to tell the difference between Ceylon cinnamon and a regular cinnamon? ›
Cassia cinnamon sticks are darker in color and comprised of a thick layer of rolled bark, whereas Ceylon sticks are lighter with thinner, more fibrous-looking layers. The distinction is harder to make with the powdered form, but if not called out on the label, it is safe to assume you are buying cassia cinnamon.
How do you test the purity of cinnamon powder? ›
While cinnamon has a thin texture, Cassia has a thick and coarse texture. Cassia usually curls up at one side and a single drop of iodine is enough to test the two. If the cinnamon powder is adulterated with Cassia a drop of iodine turns it blue whereas in case of real cinnamon it remains intact.
How can you tell the difference between real and fake cinnamon? ›
True cinnamon is more tan-brown in color, while cassia has a reddish-brown hue. And if you open the package and find a smell that's not exactly pungent, that's a good thing. True cinnamon is delicate and sweet, creating a subtle flavor while not overpowering the rest of your ingredients.
Is there a difference between cheap and expensive cinnamon? ›
Both types are technically cinnamon; Ceylon cinnamon, despite its name of verum, is no more true a cinnamon than Cassia. Ceylon cinnamon is, however, widely considered to be superior, both in terms of flavor and health perks. So which type are you most likely eating in that cinnamon roll? Odds are, it's Cassia.
Is Kirkland cinnamon real cinnamon? ›
Kirkland Ground Saigon Cinnamon comes from trees that are nurtured in the tropical highlands of Vietnam. Our Ground Saigon Cinnamon rewards cooks with a sweet-hot flavor unmatched by any other cinnamon.
Which cinnamon is true cinnamon? ›
Ceylon Cinnamon
Ceylon, or “true cinnamon,” is native to Sri Lanka and southern parts of India. It's made from the inner bark of the Cinnamomum verum tree. Ceylon is tan-brown in color and contains many tight sticks with soft layers. These features provide a highly desirable quality and texture.
What is the safest cinnamon to buy? ›
All types of cinnamon contain a compound known as coumarin, which is known to be harmful in large amounts. Ceylon cinnamon has much less coumarin than cassia cinnamon. If you are concerned about coumarin, Ceylon cinnamon is a safer option for your spice rack.
Ceylon cinnamon may be unsafe for use during pregnancy if consumed in amounts greater than those commonly found in foods. Little is known about whether it's safe to use Ceylon cinnamon during breastfeeding in amounts greater than those commonly found in foods.
How do you know if you are buying Ceylon cinnamon? ›
When it comes to colour, Ceylon Cinnamon is tan brown whereas Cassia Cinnamon takes some reddish dark brown. As far as the texture or the feel is concerned, Ceylon Cinnamon is thin and papery and forms multiple layers when rolled up.
Is Ceylon cinnamon hard on the liver? ›
Cinnamon Risks
Coumarin is a chemical compound found in several plants, including cinnamon, that can cause liver damage in large doses. However, coumarin is not present in Ceylon cinnamon, which means it has the wonderful benefits of cinnamon without this drawback.
Is McCormick cinnamon cassia or ceylon? ›
McCormick, a more than 125-year-old company, is a trusted name in the food industry that you can count on to deliver a marriage of quality and affordability. Their ground cinnamon is classified as cinnamon cassia, so the flavor profile is much stronger and sweeter than Ceylon cinnamon.
Is McCormick ground cinnamon pure cinnamon? ›
McCormick® Culinary® Ground Cinnamon is fragrant, pure ground, Culinary®-grade cinnamon that has a sweet and warm flavor.
How can you tell the quality of cinnamon? ›
Ceylon cinnamon and Cassia cinnamon are easy to tell apart when they're in whole, unground quills. A quill of Ceylon cinnamon will have multiple, thin layers that look delicate and almost papery. It's also a little bit lighter in color, looking almost tan, instead of ruddy brown.
What is the healthiest cinnamon you can buy? ›
Given that Ceylon cinnamon contains little to no coumarin, it would be considered the healthiest type of cinnamon to have if you plan to consume it regularly compared to cassia.
Is ground cinnamon the same as pure cinnamon? ›
Ground cinnamon and cinnamon sticks are like fraternal twins: same but different. As its name implies, ground cinnamon is the dried inner tree layer that's been pulverized into a fine powder. A cinnamon stick is that same bark, only it left the party before the spice grinder was brought out.
Is Ceylon or Saigon cinnamon better? ›
Saigon cinnamon is a species of cassia cinnamon with a stronger flavor and aroma than other varieties. Though it's considered to be lower quality than Ceylon cinnamon, it's less expensive and easily found in grocery stores.
