Cinnamon: The Versatile Spice for Sweet Delights!

By Caroline Anderson August 18, 2023 14 mins read 25 Views

Whether it’s sprinkled on apple slices or baked into cookies, cinnamon is the perfect cozy ingredient for autumn. And if you’re looking for a healthier way to enjoy this seasonal spice, check out these 6 recipes that aren’t dessert.

Ceylon cinnamon, sourced from small holder farmers in Sri Lanka, is known for its delicate and balanced flavor. It has significantly lower levels of the essential oil cinnamaldehyde than the more common cassia variety found in grocery stores.

Sweet

Cinnamon has long been a popular flavor for sweet treats and desserts. Cinnamon is made from the inner bark of trees in the genus Cinnamomum, which can be rolled into thin sticks or ground into powder. Cinnamon is sweet and warming, with subtle hints of ginger, allspice, and cloves.

It’s also known for its potential health benefits, including lowering high blood pressure and high blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes. The chemical cinnamaldehyde, which gives cinnamon its sweet and warm flavor, is an antioxidant.

Cinnamon comes in two varieties — Cassia and Ceylon cinnamon. The latter is more expensive than the cassia variety found in grocery stores, but it has softer layers and a more delicate flavor. Cassia cinnamon is derived from the Cinnamomum Cassia tree, which originated in Southern China. This variety contains the compound coumarin, which can be toxic to some individuals with delayed gastric emptying (such as those with gastroparesis). Use this spice only in recipes that call for Cassia cinnamon.

Warm

Cinnamon delights the senses and nourishes the body. Its warm, delicate flavor melds easily into sweet and savory dishes from around the world. Its earthy sweetness helps balance more pungent spices and can be paired with a variety of fruits. And its potential health benefits—from blood sugar regulation to heart health and digestion support—make it a staple in many kitchens.

The two main types of cinnamon sold in America are cassia and Ceylon. Ceylon (Cinnamomum verum) is more expensive than cassia but has a subtler, more delicate flavor. Its sticks have tight layers and gel well with water making them ideal for sweet baked goods like sticky buns.

Frontier Co-op Organic Vietnamese Saigon Cinnamon has a similar, slightly more potent flavor than cassia and pairs beautifully with cookies, pies, breads and more. Make a holiday morning treat with cinnamon rolls or create a family favorite, a coffee cake. You can even use it in savory dishes, such as curries and stews, for an added depth of flavor.

Delicate

Cinnamon's flavor and aroma come from cinnamaldehyde, but it also contains 80 additional aromatic compounds. This gives cassia cinnamon its distinct pungency that is much stronger than true cinnamon.

When we think of cinnamon we usually picture sweet desserts, but it can be used in savory recipes too! In fact, savory dishes starring cinnamon are quite common in countries such as India, Mexico, and North Africa.

While cinnamon is a staple spice in baked goods, it's just as essential for a cozy fall or winter breakfast, coffee, or tea. Try some of our favorite cinnamon recipes that are perfect for any occasion.

Regular consumption of cinnamon improves blood sugar levels, a key factor in diabetes management. However, those suffering from gastroparesis may need to limit their intake as it delays gastric emptying. This is why it's important to keep a trend of your blood sugar levels and discuss this with your doctor before starting any supplementation.

Spicy

If you're a fan of sweet desserts, chances are that cinnamon is probably one of your go-to spices. It's a popular ingredient in a variety of recipes that are typically eaten as breakfast or snacks, but it also makes a welcome addition to savory dishes and drinks, too.

The spice derived from the inner bark of trees in the Cinnamomum genus is used around the world to add a subtle sweetness and hint of warmth to both sweet and savory dishes. It can be found as a ground powder or in sticks, which are more commonly known as quills in the U.S. The spice most often sold in stores labeled as cinnamon is actually cassia, while true cinnamon – known as Ceylon in the US – has a lighter color and paler flavor.

Saigon cinnamon, a type of cassia cinnamon, is said to have the most potent flavor because it has the highest cinnamaldehyde content. This gives the cinnamon its spicy and sweet flavor that is so sought after in savory dishes, like the warm tomato sauce in North African shakshuka or the aromatic broth of Vietnamese banh mi bo kho.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between "regular" and smoked paprika powder?

Regular Paprika Powder (Piment d'Espelette) is an essential ingredient for our recipes. We use it for its intense flavor and color. It's also used as a spice and seasoning agent. Smoked Paprika Powder (Paprika Chorizo) adds a smoky taste and aroma to dishes. Both types of Paprika Powder come from Spain, where they grow the best peppers in the world.

Smoked Paprika Powder (Chorizo Paprika) is made from red peppers, which are dried slowly in special ovens. This gives them a rich flavor. They are then ground and mixed with salt, garlic, and spices.

Regular Paprika Powder (Espelette Paprika) is made by grinding green bell peppers without additives.

What herbs should you take daily?

Depending on your health and wellness needs, many herbs can be taken daily to help improve your overall health.

Popular herbs for daily consumption include ashwagandha, turmeric, ginger, holy basil, chamomile, lavender, peppermint, and cayenne pepper. Ashwagandha is an adaptogenic herb that can help the body resist stress and anxiety. Turmeric is known for its anti-inflammatory properties, while ginger has been shown to aid digestion and boost immunity. Holy basil may help with managing blood sugar levels, as well as providing a calming effect. Chamomile can promote relaxation, while lavender is used in aromatherapy for its calming properties. Peppermint can help aid digestion and reduce nausea, while cayenne pepper has antibacterial properties that may boost your immunity.

As always, you must consult your doctor before taking herbs daily to ensure they are safe for you and do not interact with any other medications or herbs you may be taking.

There is no shortage of information on what foods we should eat and how much exercise we should do. But when it comes to what supplements we should take, there is a dearth of knowledge.

This is because most of us aren’t sure which ones work or which are junk. So we go online and look up whatever we can find.

But often, these articles are written by companies trying to promote their products. Which means they're usually biased toward their product.

So instead of finding unbiased advice, we end up reading marketing hype.

This makes sense since marketers make more money selling stuff than doctors.

The medical industry isn’t even allowed to advertise directly to consumers anymore. The best way to learn about natural remedies is to read independent reviews.

This is where you'll find real users sharing their experiences with each supplement. These sites give you an honest opinion of whether or not a particular herb helps.

Users will often share their experience with a supplement after taking it. This gives you a good idea of its effectiveness and any side effects.

You can also check out forums dedicated to herbalism. Here you can ask questions and receive answers based on personal experience.

Of course, there are plenty of other ways to learn about herbs.

There are books, websites, blogs, videos, podcasts, and classes. All of them provide valuable information about natural remedies.

Is basil good for kidneys?

The answer is yes. Basil is an excellent food for kidney health. It contains potassium which helps reduce high blood pressure. It also contains vitamin K, which is essential for bone strength. As well as this, it is rich in antioxidants which help protect against heart disease.

Basil is great for digestion too. It contains digestive enzymes that break down protein and carbohydrates. This makes it easier to absorb nutrients from your meals.

Basil is a wonderful addition to any diet. Try sprinkling some over pasta dishes, salads, soups, and sandwiches. Or add little stir-fried vegetables, chicken, fish, meat, and tofu.

It's delicious in pesto sauce and fresh in salad dressings. You'll find many recipes online where you can learn how to cook with basil.

Try making basil oil by adding a few drops of pure olive oil to a jar filled with chopped basil leaves. Let it steep overnight, and then strain out the leaves. Use the oil as a massage oil or rub it onto your skin.

It will leave your skin soft and smooth.

Statistics

The herbs market is highly competitive, with over 1,000 herb suppliers and over 15,000 herbs products available in the United States alone.
Studies have shown that cinnamon can lower fasting blood sugars by 10-29% in diabetic patients, which is a significant amount (9Trusted Source10Trusted (healthline.com)

External Links

How To

How do I know if my herbs have been treated with pesticides?

If you see a pesticide label on your herbs, the plants were sprayed with chemicals before being sold to you.

These chemicals harm human health and could cause cancer or other serious illnesses.

Unfortunately, this practice has become common around the globe. Many countries allow farmers to spray their crops with pesticides without proper regulation.

In order not to harm themselves, consumers should always ask about the source of their produce. If it comes from a farmer near you, it’s safe to assume it was not treated with pesticides.

However, there are still ways to ensure that your herbs are free from harmful chemicals.

However, if you want to ensure that your herbs aren’t contaminated, you can purchase organic herbs directly from the farm.

This way, you won’t need to worry about the safety of your herbs. You can trust that they weren’t exposed to harmful chemicals.

Resources:

Cinnamon: The Versatile Spice for Sweet Delights!

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