Essential Pantry Whole Cinnamon Sticks - Ceylon

1.5 oz

Canela, the Spanish word for cinnamon, typically refers to Ceylon cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum), also known as true cinnamon, which is frequently used in Mexican cuisine. Native to Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon), Ceylon cinnamon is also a key ingredient in Indian, Middle Eastern, and Southeast Asian dishes.

Ceylon cinnamon is made by carefully shaving the thin inner bark of the cinnamon tree, which is then rolled into soft, papery quills.

This process preserves its delicate, floral, and complex flavor. In contrast, cassia cinnamon(Cinnamomum cassia), which is more commonly found in supermarkets, is made from the thicker bark or even the outer wood of a related tree species, resulting in tougher sticks and a stronger, more pungent flavor.

Because cassia is less expensive and more robust in flavor, it often substitutes for true cinnamon in commercial products — but its taste and texture are noticeably different.

The thin and fragile bark of canela makes it highly perishable, so it is best to use and grind it only as needed. Naturally, Ceylon cinnamon sticks are good for myriad sweet dishes like cakes, cookies, pies and ice cream, and is the penultimate accompaniment for anything chocolate.

Fruit and wine are warmed by a touch of canela, as are savory dishes like curries, pilafs, tagines and the Moroccan specialty bistyaa.

Burn your sugars

Cinnamon - not all metabolism accelerators are the same!

Eat cinnamon in your early morning porridge of oats or emmer, it doesn't matter, it's the perfect way to get your body going and starting to burn fat. Cinnamon doesn't actually go in "burn" things up, but it does get your metabolism going by creating a themogenic burn. Like cayenne, this effect on the body is a positive occurrence and if you like cinnamon what could be easier?

Eat cinnamon and it might help with type-2 diabetes, according to the Mayo Clinic. It's the action that cinnamon has on your body that helps improve hemoglobin A1C levels. It may be that the cinnamon increases the insulin action in the body. If you control your blood sugar, hopefully your cravings for bad food and excess sugar will diminish.

Eat cinnamon in your favorite desserts, or add it to apples or fruit to go with a nice pork chop, or your next oven roasted Moroccan lamb tanginess. It's a pretty versatile spice and it really is wonderful. It fights cholesterol, those bad LDL's, and as we know reducing fats in your blood is a good thing. Cinnamon might even attack tummy fat in men, well maybe not that, but fresh cinnamon sounds like it could be good for you!