5 Interesting Facts You Didn’t Know About Cinnamon

Slofoodgroup Team June 19, 2020

Cinnamon is an incredibly versatile ingredient. The product can be used to make any dish spicier or sweeter. Even though chefs use cinnamon every day, they probably aren’t aware of how amazing the flavor additive actually is. This article will overview five interesting facts you didn’t know about cinnamon. After reading, you’ll appreciate the ingredient even more than you did before. In fact, you’ll probably share the information will all your friends, too.

The Health Benefits of Cinnamon

Cinnamon is good for your health. This idea dates back to ancient times. In traditional Chinese culture, cinnamon was used to treat everyday ailments like the common cold or nausea. Though most modern-day medical professionals typically shy away from this practice, cinnamon can still improve a person’s overall wellbeing. For example, the spice is a rich source of vitamin K, calcium, iron, and fiber. The product also contains high amounts of vitamin E and zinc. Therefore, people who consume cinnamon on a regular basis receive doses of essential vitamins that other people may not.

Cinnamon also has natural anti-inflammatory properties. The ingredient can block the buildup of a fatty acid that sometimes causes blood clots. The spice can also boost a person’s immune system, protect against bacterial infections, and help fight degenerative brain disorders. Cinnamon also activates protective proteins that prevent damage to cells. Thus, the product might be helpful in the fight against diseases like Alzheimer’s. The surprising health benefits of cinnamon should make you consider adding the product to more of your dishes. Who knows, maybe you’ll have an extra pep in your step throughout the day.

A Note on History

Another interesting fact you didn’t know about cinnamon is that it is one of the oldest spices in the world. In fact, the flavoring material was mentioned in the Bible. Its popularity continued to grow throughout ancient times. For example, cinnamon became a hot commodity amongst traders in ancient Egypt. People would pay a hefty price to get their hands on small quantities of the spice. At one point in time, cinnamon was one of the most expensive trading goods in the world. The cost of the product only grew as people began to discover its healing abilities. Finally, cinnamon was also used as an embalming agent when people died. It’s wild to think about the extensive history of the spice that’s sitting in your kitchen pantry.

Different Types of Cinnamon

Not all cinnamon is the same. There are two distinctly different types of the flavoring agent that every chef should recognize, namely the two main variations of Cassia cinnamon and Ceylon cinnamon. Cassia cinnamon is what most people think of when they imagine the product. Cassia cinnamon is thicker and darker in color than its Ceylon counterpart. Most grocery chains sell Chinese Cassia cinnamon. However, Saigon cinnamon has a much higher oil concentration than its Chinese counterpart. Therefore, Saigon cinnamon brings forth a much stronger potency and flavor than the Chinese type of cinnamon.

Ceylon is the other kind of cinnamon on the market. Ceylon is much more suited for simple baked goods and dishes with a few other ingredients. Ceylon doesn’t pack as much of a punch as Saigon. It’s also important to note that Saigon cinnamon has a much higher amount of coumarin. If that’s not really your thing, then Ceylon is the best option for you. SloFoodGroup has tons of cinnamon powder for sale that’ll satisfy your every craving. Whether you like Cassia or Ceylon cinnamon varieties, we have everything you’re looking for.

How’s it Made?

About 30,000 tons of cinnamon is produced every year. The exotic spice grows on trees throughout various parts of the world including, Sri-Lanka, China, and Vietnam. Interestingly, a cinnamon tree can grow to reach sixty feet high. Pictures of these trees are absolutely stunning. Cinnamon comes in two different forms as well. Cinnamon sticks are known as quills; they’re perfectly straight. Cinnamon is also available in a ground powder form. Quills tend to last longer and preserve their flavor more than their grounded counterpart. The spice you’re using to make your famous apple pie has likely made a long journey before it reached your kitchen pantry.

Too Much of a Good Thing

Try your best to monitor your cinnamon intake. While there are health benefits to the flavoring agent, there are also hazards that everyone should know about. For example, eating too much ground cinnamon can cause breathing problems. In 2016, young people flocked to the internet to partake in the infamous “cinnamon challenge.” People would put a spoonful of ground cinnamon in their mouths and instantaneously choke on camera. The reason this happened was because cinnamon is a very fine material, which makes it easy to accidentally inhale. Be mindful of how much cinnamon you’re using in your dishes. After all, you don’t want to be the next headline on the internet.

Cinnamon contains the compound cinnamaldehyde. Cinnamaldehyde is a throat irritant. Therefore, if you consume too much of the spice at one time, your throat will feel parched and itchy. Also, some people experience allergic reactions to cinnamaldehyde. Small exposure to cinnamon won’t cause much of a reaction. However, consuming large amounts of cinnamon at once can cause skin irritations or swelling of the mouth and gums. People can and should incorporate cinnamon into their daily cooking routine. The flavoring material is extremely versatile and can add spice or sweetness to any dish.

Every chef needs cinnamon in their pantry. The spice can be used to make savory lemon chicken or mouth-watering pancakes. Since people use the additive frequently, they should learn more about it. For instance, most cooks probably don’t realize the surprising health benefits of the ingredient. Incorporating the agent into your regular diet can make you feel better and more well-balanced. It’s amazing to think of where this spice that dates back to ancient times had traveled before it landed in your hands. Hopefully, this article has taught you to appreciate the items within your pantry. Anyone in the market for these products should check out SloFoodGroup today. We have all the cinnamon you need to add variety and color to your meals.