Ceylon Cinnamon Powder
Did You Know
Cinnamon is an ancient spice that comes from the bark of several species of the Cinnamomum genus of evergreen trees, which belong to the laurel family. The most popular types of cinnamon are native to Sri Lanka and China, though cinnamon is grown throughout Asia, Europe, and North America.
In antiquity, cinnamon was prized as much for its sweet, sharp, and sensuous fragrance as it was for its taste. The ancient Egyptians used cinnamon along with myrrh to embalm the dead, and the Romans burned it on funeral pyres. It was used in religious ceremonies by the ancient Hebrews and is mentioned in the Bible as an ingredient in the preparation of a holy anointing oil.
During the Middle Ages in Europe, cinnamon was a status symbol ingredient in cuisine enjoyed by the elite, brought west from Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) by Arab traders. The Portuguese took over the cinnamon trade in Ceylon during the 15th century, and centuries of fighting over the spice ensued between them, the Ceylonese, and Dutch and British colonizers. In time, cultivation of the sought-after spice spread across the globe. Today, cinnamon is more likely to evoke feelings of comfort rather than bloodlust.
The cinnamon you have in your kitchen cabinet is most likely to be Cinnamomum cassia, which is native to China and the most common type sold in the United States and Canada. Cinnamomum verum, also known as true cinnamon or Ceylon cinnamon, comes primarily from Sri Lanka. It is more delicately flavored than cassia and more highly prized, though less widely used. Other commercially available types of cinnamon include Cinnamomum burmannii (also called Indonesian cinnamon) and Cinnamomum loureiroi (also known as Vietnamese cinnamon). Many lesser-known species of the cinnamon tree exist, too
Cinnamon's unique healing abilities come from three basic types of components in the essential oils found in its bark. These oils contain active components called cinnamaldehyde, cinnamyl acetate, and cinnamyl alcohol, plus a wide range of other volatile substances :
- Anti-Clotting Actions and Anti-Microbial Activity
- Cinnamon's Scent Boosts Brain Function and Boost Metabolism
- A Traditional Warming Remedy
- Improves Your Dental Health
- Cinnamon Enhances Your Skin Health
- Helps In Hair Growth
