Where Does Cinnamon Come From
From LoveToKnow Herbs
Where does cinnamon come from? That question seems as if it would have a simple answer, but in asking where does cinnamon come from, one must consider not only its origins, but how it is manufactured and makes its way to your cupboard.
What Is Cinnamon?
Cinnamon is everywhere. You can find this spice flavoring toothpaste, ice cream, candy and in your favorite baked goods. It is simmered in potpourri to scent your home and toothpicks are coated with it to freshen your breath. What is cinnamon? Some might be surprised to learn that it is tree bark that has gone through a manufacturing process. This aromatic spice is ubiquitous in all sorts of baked goods like pies and everyone’s favorite cinnamon rolls. Most people are well aware of cinnamon’s culinary uses. But are you also aware that cinnamon is believed to have healing properties? In herbal medicine, cinnamon is used to help with blood sugar and insulin issues such as insulin resistance. It is also believed to have anti-fungal, ant-phlegmatic and warming properties.
History of Cinnamon
Cinnamon has been used throughout history. For example, it was used by ancient Egyptians as a means of embalming. It was even mentioned in the Old Testament for its use in anointing oils.
Cinnamon is native to the West Indies; however, the Dutch controlled early trade and distribution of cinnamon, so it became a very sought after and expensive commodity. Some believe that the desire to discover more cinnamon sparked exploration of the New World.
Today, cinnamon is widely available. It runs the gamut in price and quality from inexpensive to very high-quality, expensive cinnamon.
Where Does Cinnamon Come From?
True cinnamon is an evergreen tree. It is mostly found in Sri Lanka and South India. Aromatic cinnamon comes from the inner bark of cinnamon trees. Another product that is similar to cinnamon and often used interchangeably in baking and scenting is cassia. Cassia is used widely in North America as cinnamon. Cassia cinnamon is native to Southeast Asia – particularly China and Vietnam.
90 percent of the world’s cinnamon comes from Sri Lanka, with the remaining 10 percent coming from China and Vietnam. Cassia comes primarily from Indonesia, with lesser amounts coming from other regions in Southeast Asia.
Commercially grown and cultivated cinnamon comes from the coppicing of cinnamon trees after two years of growth. Coppicing involves cutting the branches of the tree near to the ground so that several shoots come out of the roots.
What Is the Difference between Cassia and Cinnamon?
Cassia differs from true cinnamon slightly in flavor. Cassia has a more astringent and sweeter taste than Sri Lankan cinnamon. Sri Lankan cinnamon is more delicate in flavor. There is some concern that cassia contains a somewhat toxic substance called coumarin, and heath agencies in Europe caution against consumption of too much cassia as a result.
Harvesting Cinnamon
Both Cassia and Cinnamon trees grow in the wild throughout Asia. The trees must be about 30 years old before the delicate inner bark is ready for harvesting. After the initial harvest, the tree will produce cinnamon for many years.
There are two methods of harvesting cinnamon – one method yields cinnamon sticks, which are less flavorful, and one method is used to obtain the highly aromatic and flavorful ground cinnamon.
To harvest cinnamon sticks the upper branches of the tree are removed. The bark is cut away from the branches and the inner bark is removed. When the bark is removed, it curls into the characteristic shape of cinnamon sticks.
Ground cinnamon is harvested from the lower, older bark of the tree where the flavor and aroma are more concentrated.
After the cinnamon has been harvested, the bark is taken to factories where it is washed and graded. Grading is dependent on flavor, which is a function of the amount of oil in the bark. After the cinnamon is graded it is cracked, ground into powder, or cut into cinnamon sticks.
Where does cinnamon come from? Both cassia and cinnamon come from Southeast Asia. If all you’ve ever had is cassia – also known as Vietnamese cinnamon or Chinese cinnamon, it might be worth it to seek out high quality Sri Lankan cinnamon, which is sometimes known as Ceylon cinnamon. Maybe then you will see why this spice was so highly sought after that it sparked exploration to the New World.
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This page has been accessed 542 times. This page was last modified 18:18, 30 June 2009.
© 2006-2009 LoveToKnow Corp.
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