Cinnamon
Cinnamon is a spice whose name comes from the Latin word "canella," meaning "roll." Cinnamon is the dried bark of the evergreen cinnamon tree, which grows only in tropical climates. Cinnamon plantations have begun in the Padang region of West Sumatra, but the origins lie in Sri Lanka, formerly Ceylon.
The origin
A tropical, humid climate is essential for cinnamon to grow. Countries like Indonesia, China, Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia have this climate, and cinnamon is therefore also grown there. Verstegen's ground cinnamon packages contain 100% Cassia cinnamon (originally from Indonesia). Verstegen cinnamon stick packages contain 100% Ceylon cinnamon (originally from Sri Lanka).
The taste and other characteristics of cinnamon
There are many varieties of the cinnamon tree, all related to each other, including the Ceylon and Cassia. The young leaves of the cinnamon tree are reddish, while the mature leaves are dark green and resemble laurel. The flowers are light yellow, small, and have a somewhat unappealing, characteristic odor. The cinnamon is harvested when the reddish leaves begin to turn light green. The Ceylon cinnamon tree can grow up to eight to seventeen (!) meters tall. The Cassia tree can grow even taller. Unfortunately, the quality of Cassia cinnamon does decline as the tree ages and grows larger.
The difference between Ceylon and Cassia
There are several varieties of cinnamon, the most well-known being Cassia and Ceylon. Ceylon cinnamon is aromatic, sweet, warm, woody, and slightly bitter. Ground and dissolved in hot water, it becomes somewhat slimy and sticky. Compared to Ceylon cinnamon, Cassia is slightly darker, sweeter, fragrant, pungent, and has a sharper, bitter aftertaste. It has a slightly harsher mouthfeel.
Cassia from Vietnam and China contains the most coumarin, the aromatic compound naturally found in cinnamon. Ceylon cinnamon contains 1.5-3.0% essential oil, while Cassia only contains 0.5-2% essential oil. This means that Cassia has slightly less flavor.
Cinnamon in the kitchen
The spice cinnamon is most often used in sweet dishes, from pastries to desserts. Some candies also contain cinnamon, such as the well-known cinnamon stick. Cinnamon is also found in savory dishes. It's often a component of mixes like curry and masala, or it's incorporated into a bumbu.
