from the website...
www.suite101.com/.../difference-between-cassia-and-cinnamon-a89695
What is True Cinnamon?
Often referred to as “real cinnamon” or “true cinnamon”, Ceylon cinnamon (C.
zeylanicum or C. verum)
is native to Sri Lanka. This cinnamon is lighter brown in color, papery
and brittle and the bark coils into a single spiraled quill.
Ceylon cinnamon is rarely found in United States and has
significantly less of the phenolic compound cinnamaldehyde, which
imparts the spicy cinnamon flavor and aroma desired by American
palates. Instead, this cinnamon has a more delicate and complex flavor,
with citrus, floral and clove notes.
How is Cassia Different than Cinnamon?
Cassia is a term used to describe cinnamon that originates from
China and elsewhere in Southeast Asia, primarily Chinese cinnamon (C. cassia),
Vietnamese or Saigon cinnamon (C. loureirii) and Indonesian cinnamon (C.
burmanii).
These cinnamon varieties have a stronger, more intense and often hotter
flavor than Ceylon cinnamon due to an increased percentage of
cinnamaldehyde, up to 5-6% by weight.
Cassia also has a significant amount of the blood-thinning phytochemical
coumarin which has led Germany to ban its importation.
How to Identify Cassia vs. Cinnamon
American labeling laws do not require a distinction be made between
cassia and Ceylon cinnamon in the retail market, however the
overwhelming majority of ground cinnamon found within the United States
is a variety of cassia.
Read on
Cinnamon Health BenefitsHealth Benefits of CinnamonHerb and Spice Infused Sugar
Cinnamon and cassia sticks, however, have obvious visual markers which make
them easy to identify:
cassia is dark, reddish brown whereas Ceylon cinnamon is light tan in
colorcassia sticks form a "double-scroll" whereas Ceylon cinnamon appears
rolled like a cigarcassia is thick and hard whereas Ceylon cinnamon is thin and
brittle
Mr. Kyle Fletcher Baker, MCN
Maine Zone 5
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