Although available throughout the year, the
fragrant, sweet and warm taste of cinnamon is a
perfect spice to use during the winter months.
Cinnamon has a long history both as a spice and
as a
medicine. It is the brown bark of the cinnamon tree,
which is available in its dried tubular form known as a
quill or as ground powder. The two varieties of
cinnamon, Chinese and Ceylon, have similar flavor,
however the cinnamon from Ceylon is slightly
sweeter, more refined and more difficult to find in
local markets.
A teaspoon of cinnamon contains 28 mg of
calcium,
almost one mg of iron, over a gram of fiber, and quite
a lot of vitamins C, K, and manganese. In traditional
medicine, cinnamon has been used for digestive
ailments such as indigestion, gas and bloating,
stomach upset, and diarrhea. More recently, modern
medical research has turned its eye on cinnamon and
is coming up with some intriguing results.
One of the most talked about benefits of
cinnamon
relates to type 2 diabetes. A study published in the
journal, “Diabetes Care”, found that half a teaspoon
of cinnamon a day significantly reduces blood sugar
levels in people with type 2 diabetes. It also reduces
triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, and total cholesterol
levels among this group.
Some other benefits of cinnamon include:
- Supports digestive function
- Constricts and tones tissues
- Relieves congestion
- Relieves pain and stiffness of muscles and
joints
- Relieves menstrual discomfort
- Blood-thinning compounds that stimulate
circulation
- Anti-inflammatory compounds that may relieve
arthritis
- Helps prevent urinary tract infections, tooth
decay and gum disease
- Powerful anti-microbial agent that can kill E. coli
and other bacteria
Cinnamon is available in either stick or powder
form.
While the sticks can be stored for longer, the ground
powder has a stronger flavor. If possible, smell the
cinnamon to make sure that it has a sweet smell, a
characteristic reflecting that it is fresh.
Oftentimes, both Ceylon cinnamon and Chinese
cinnamon (cassia) are labeled as cinnamon. If you
want to find the sweeter, more refined tasting
Ceylon variety, you may need to shop in either a
local spice store or ethnic market since this variety is
generally less available. Just like with other dried
spices, try to select organically grown cinnamon
since this will give you more assurance that it has
not been irradiated (among other potential adverse
effects, irradiating cinnamon may lead to a significant
decrease in its vitamin C and carotenoid content.)
Cinnamon should be kept in a tightly sealed glass
container in a cool, dark and dry place. Ground
cinnamon will keep for about six months, while
cinnamon sticks will stay fresh for about one year
stored this way. Alternatively, you can extend their
shelf life by storing them in the refrigerator. To check
to see if it is still fresh, smell the cinnamon. If it does
not smell sweet, it is no longer fresh and should be
discarded.
