cinnamon

 cinnamon

 

 

 

Cinnamon was one of the initially exchanged spices of the old world. Ceylon Cinnamon is an ever green tree. This is a plant indigenous to Sri Lanka. Cinnamon produced in Sri Lanka has gained a  long standing fame in the global spice market because of its unique kind, quality, flavor and fragrance.
The exceptional system of handling and processing cinnamon is one of the reasons why Ceylon cinnamon has gained so much popularity among the cinnamon lovers all over the world. There are some families in Sri Lanka who had been in the cinnamon business for centuries. they were known as cinnamon peelers. And their know-how had been handed down from one generation to the next. According to some, Cinnamon is the most essential and significant spice found in Sri Lanka. Prior to the appearance of present day food preserving methods, Europeans have utilized Cinnamon with Pepper to preserve meat. Some add cinnamon into tea because of its  smell & flavor. Cinnamon is used in certain pharmaceutical products as well. In addition cinnamon is used when making perfumes, cosmetic products and in incense sticks.

Ceylon Cinnamon  and Cassia were the most exchanged spices of the old world. 'Ceylon Cinnamon' is known as "sweet cinnamon" and "genuine cinnamon" which is more popular and sweeter than Cassia. 

 

cinnamon or cassia

Cassia is a plant very much like cinnamon. Cassia is mainly from countries like, China, Indonesia and India. This was a good substitute for cinnamon when the price of cinnamon in the spice market went up. Still some mistake cassia for cinnamon because the taste and the smell of cassia is very much like that of cinnamon. But there is a way to distinguish between cassia and cinnamon. That is from the smell and the the taste of  the spice. Cassia has a very strong smell and cinnamon a very pleasant and subtle smell. These are the two ways you can distinguish between cinnamon and cassia.

Benefits of Cinnamon

Benefits of Cinnamon

 

Ranweli spice garden cinnamon 

We all know cinnamon as a good spice, and we use it in many dishes. But many are the other uses of cinnamon. Cinnamon is a good medicine for many conditions. Cinnamon is used in many ayurvedic medicines. It is used when making Arishta (a tonic made of plants, fruits and spices) for conditions like cough, wheezing, asthma, phlegm etc. There are also lots of medicine made of cinnamon to enhance appetite. Also in some natural energy drinks cinnamon is used. There is a belief among sri lankans that the fragrance of cinnamon can calm ones's mind. As a matter of fact people in sri lanka used to make perfume and incense sticks out of cinnamon bark. So without doubt Cinnamon sticks have this aroma which has made it a popular spice all over the world.

Nevertheless there is a big difference between the smell of cinnamon sticks and cinnamon leaves. The essence of cinnamon leaves is very strong and we cant even beleive that they are from the same plant. And cinnamon leaves or the essence of cinnamon leaves are not recommended in cooking. But cinnamon leaves have lots of medicinal benefits and are used in many Ayurvedic products. The essence of cinnamon leaves is good for toothache, ear pain, and highly recommended for those who live in cold countries because cinnamon essence has the ability to warm your body up. So the next time your hands feel cold get some cinnamon essence and apply all over your hand. immediately you will feel a difference. 

Cinnamon has the ability to lower glucose in diabetic patients and is also good for high blood pressure. It is a good natural pain killer for those who have back pain, muscle pain and arthritis.

It has been found that it can bring down the negative impacts of high fat dinners. Studies have found that when cinnamon tea is taken after a workout it helps the muscles to recover faster. 

In Sri Lanka there are many oils and balms made of cinnamon for aches and pains. Some people even boil and drink cinnamon sticks because they believe that cinnamon helps them to look younger.