Amongst the spices that have been used for generations and centuries, is cinnamon. A spice that is considered not just for its flavor but also for its nutritious and health benefits. Different cultures from all over the world use cinnamon to season savoury and sweet delicacies, however, the spice comes in different forms and types. One of the most popular and considered to be the most superior type is the Ceylon Cinnamon. Ceylon cinnamon, otherwise known as the Cinnamon zeylanicum and cinnamon cassia are the most common types used.
The origin
With its origin in Sri Lanka and much of SouthEast Asia, Ceylon cinnamon comes from the backs of small evergreen cinnamon trees. The Ceylon name originates from Sri Lanka’s old name by the British. The back is then dried and the spice can be ground or used in the stick form.
Super spice or not?
What’s a spice without the extra flavor? One of the main reasons for the superiority of Ceylon Cinnamon is its sweet, delicate flavor that has subtle citrus notes. Which makes a great inclusion to delectable desserts, pastries and hot beverages.
Cinnamon when consumed in large quantities can be toxic, due to it containing coumarin. Ceylon cinnamon is known to have low levels of coumarin, making it more preferred than the other types. Large amounts of coumarin can potentially cause liver damage or interfere with some medications.
Your daily dose of health
Other than this there are a good number of reasons to consider Ceylon cinnamon over the other cinnamon types:
Anti-inflammatory properties:
Ceylon cinnamon is considered to contain anti-inflammatory properties, which can help lower the rate of inflammation in the body, which is quite beneficial for conditions such as arthritis and other inflammatory diseases.
Antioxidant properties:
Ceylon cinnamon contains antioxidants that are essential in protecting the body from any damage caused by free radicals, which can contribute to chronic diseases such as cancer and heart disease.
Blood sugar control:
According to some studies Ceylon cinnamon is considered to help regulate blood sugar levels and improve insulin sensitivity. This is an important aspect for people with diabetes or those at risk of developing this disease.
Possible weight loss benefits:
Although not quite proven, some preliminary research suggests that Ceylon cinnamon may have a beneficial effect on weight loss.
Get your nutrition in check
The antioxidants in Ceylon cinnamon can handle free radicals thus lowering the risk of health conditions like cancer, heart disease, and diabetes.
Manganese is one mineral that Ceylon cinnamon is rich in.This helps in managing the bodily enzymes that produce hormones and help repair your bones.
Some of the nutrients Ceylon cinnamon is an excellent source of include:
A teaspoon serving of Ceylon cinnamon contains:
Ceylon Cinnamon Sensations
Ceylon cinnamon can be used in both stick and ground form. In either form Ceylon Cinnamon can be added to most dishes. It is better stored in an airtight container so as to keep its flavor.
For an intense experience, this is a great spice for your tea or hot beverages. You can also add the ground spice in boiling water and steep the powder in boiling water for three or four minutes. Strain the spice out and you’ll be left with a sweet, spicy tea that’s just right for fall.
Some other ways you can spice up your life with Ceylon cinnamon is are:
- Adding it to chai lattes
- Cinnamon rolls
- It can be added to pumpkin pie
- In curries for the depth of flavor
- To season meats
- Sprinkled in hot chocolate
A price to pay
Ceylon Cinnamon is considered to be amongst the first traded spices even in the ancient world. It is considered to contain unique chemical properties compared to the other cinnamon varieties. The demand and reputation of this super spice all over the world is quite high causing it to be quite pricey. It is known to have over 80 chemical components, which makes it one superior spice than many others. For quite a number of years it has been used as medicine, for medical production, in perfumes and in soft drinks.
Ceylon cinnamon is a considerably expensive, rare, safe and recommended variety over all other varieties including Cassia, Korintje and Saigon. This makes it so difficult to access it in many other countries. It is not so easy to find the ‘real cinnamon’ unless you visit specialty stores or order online on our site, so that you can be sure that you are getting Ceylon cinnamon and not cassia cinnamon.
Visit our website to spice up your meals and enjoy a daily dose of the ‘true’ Ceylon cinnamon sourced directly from Sri Lanka.
