Cinnamon Powder - 50g

Of all the spices used in Sri Lankan cuisine, the most famous one is Ceylon Cinnamon. Also called true cinnamon, this is the crop that put Sri Lanka on the spice map. True cinnamon is native to Sri Lanka.

Cinnamon is the dried bark of the perennial tree of C. zeylanicum of the Lauraceae family, and once the bark is ground, it becomes cinnamon powder. Cinnamon is a versatile spice that can be added to any food item such as salads, confectionaries, beverages, soups, stews, and sauces. Cinnamon-flavored tea is also becoming popular now.  

The quest for cinnamon was a major factor that led to the exploration of the world in the 15th century. Cinnamon bark is largely available in the form of quills and making quills is unique to Sri Lanka. Quills are made by rolling the peeled bark and joining several of them together to get a pipe or cigar-like structure in the required length. Other than that pieces of bark are available as chips, quillings, or featherings.

Cinnamon is a unique plant that has essential oil in leaves, bark, and roots but their chemical composition is completely different from each other. Euginol is the main chemical ingredient in cinnamon leaf oil and Cinnamaldehyde is present in cinnamon bark oil. However, there are hundreds of minor chemical ingredients which give characteristic flavor and aroma to true cinnamon. Recently, it has been studied for its ability to boost brain power, reduce blood clotting, and its healing effects on the heart and colon. Recent studies have proved its ability to control type 2 diabetes by reducing blood sugar levels and reducing blood cholesterol levels. In traditional society, cinnamon is said to have been used to relieve digestive upset, congestion, menstrual problems, stiff joints, and muscles. It has been said to be used as an anti-inflammatory agent and as a pain reliever for arthritis patients. Some studies have shown that cinnamon helps to cure urinary tract infections and to fight tooth decay and gum disease.

Store cinnamon powder in an air-tight container away from heat, light, and moisture.