Ceylon Cinnamon versus Cassia Cinnamon

Cinnamomum verum which means “true cinnamon” is a lighter, brighter spice (as compared to Cassia cinnamon) that is obtained from the inner bark of a tree native to Sri Lanka. Ceylon Cinnamon, as it is more commonly known as, is a milder spice as compared to the more regularly used Cassia Cinnamon.  Although many countries in South-East Asia grow cinnamon, Ceylon Cinnamon is the world’s best. It’s milder, smoother aroma and taste is better for gourmet, desserts, smoothies, flavoring meat and basically everything you can think of.

Why Ceylon cinnamon?

•             Cassia cinnamon when taken regularly or in high does thins your blood!  This blood thinning property of Cassia Cinnamon helps it in acting as an anti clotting agent especially for those suffering from heart disease. However care must be taken to NOT to take it with other blood thinning medication. Switch to Ceylon cinnamon which is 100% pure and doesn’t thin your blood as its side effects are lesser even when consumed regularly or in high doses.

•             The sweet, savoury taste that is rich but adds a subtle flavor can be obtained by no other form of cinnamon. This is sweeter as compared to the harsher flavor of Cassia cinnamon or your regular supermarket cinnamon, and it gives an underlying flavor of citrus and spice. Why wouldn’t you switch to something that makes your food taste better?

•             Besides being rich in minerals like magnesium, fiber, calcium, iron, chromium, and manganese, cinnamon is a great source of energy. Did we mention that it helps regulate blood sugar, aid in digestive health, keep your bones healthy and keep your nerves steady too? Ceylon cinnamon being the purest form of cinnamon that there is, does all of the facts mentioned above without any side effects as such!

•             Those who take cinnamon on a daily basis for dieting or other health reasons should switch to Ceylon Cinnamon, which only has 0.04% Coumarin. Cassia cinnamon has high levels (about 5%) of Coumarin which can cause liver failure if taken daily or in high doses. The Europeans even banned Cassia Cinnamon for a while because of its effects on the liver. When are you going to switch over something natural and healthier?

•             The colour and texture of Ceylon cinnamon is lighter, almost golden brown and smoother. Cassia cinnamon is thicker as it has the outer bark; therefore they curl into a roll while drying. Ceylon cinnamon being natural is tender, and is made only from the inner bark. This is why they curl from one side while drying and have bristles formed which cause the cinnamon stick to slightly crack at places. Ceylon cinnamon is softer and can be chewed raw easily. The aroma is lighter and pleasant to senses while being much deeper.

•             Ceylon cinnamon has a marvelous property that Cassia cinnamon fails to have- It acts as a natural preservative! It can keep your food fresh for 4-5 days. Cooking in bulk and worrying about leftovers, not a problem anymore.

•             So everything good and natural that comes your way must be expensive, right? Wrong! Ceylon cinnamon might cost more than your average supermarket cinnamon but think of the diseases you are not inviting in the long run. The ideal thing to do is buy these sticks in bulk and store them in an airtight container to keep the aroma intact.

•             When we said natural, we weren’t just using a term. Ceylon cinnamon is absolutely organic and pesticide free. So a healthy product just became healthier! We do not need to repeat what pesticides can do to your body. They start from the Central Nervous System, affect your internal organs and then the functioning of your body. Cassia cinnamon being produced in bulk is rich in such pesticides.

So a cinnamon that does not taste as fresh, isn’t rich in flavor and has side effects and leaves behind toxins or simply Ceylon cinnamon? The choice doesn’t seem so hard.