In the United States, two types of cinnamon are sold in specialty markets and spice shops, though you will likely only find one type in a typical grocery store. Madagascar cinnamon is sweet, citrusy and delicate in flavour compared with Chinese Cassia cinnamon, which is stronger, more intense and slightly bitter. All other Cinnamon looks like the Cassia Cinnamon sticks and tends to be hard, hollow and have only one rolled or curled layer. I didn’t know the difference between Cassia and Ceylon Cinnamon. Let’s find out! It can be damaging to the liver and nervous system. However, experts advise that Ceylon cinnamon is safer in very high doses compared to the cassia variety. blood thinner). It is easy to tell the difference between Ceylon/Madagascar and Chinese varieties. It’s the most popular type and is very cheap. More than likely, these are what you think of when someone … Large amounts here can … Most people have no idea what the difference between cassia and ceylon cinnamon is, but the distinction MUST be made. Lead Image Source : stevepb/Pixabay. To our tables it mostly arrives already ground from the bark. These quills are then broken down into smaller pieces, called quillings, which is what is then ground into a powder. How to tell the difference between Ceylon cinnamon and cassia. The delicate inner bark of these plants is harvested and dried into neat little quills or sticks in order to make it into the spice. By Chelsea Debret. Unfortunately, there is no way to tell the difference between cinnamon powders that have been made from Ceylon cinnamon versus the Cassia cinnamons. Ceylon Cinnamon ; Cassia ; Coumarin ; Health Effects ; Written by Nadia Nygaard . Both cinnamon and cassia come from the same plant family, but not the same plant. This is the case unless you plan to consume excessively large amounts every single day. Ceylon cinnamon and cassia cinnamon. In Cinnamon, which is widely known to help support a healthy blood glucose level, the coumarin content is only found in trace amounts (if at all). Health Benefits of Cinnamon. Although this is nothing to be too concerned about, we should use cinnamon in moderate amounts, if we use cassia. Notice the color difference. Ceylon cinnamon has a sweeter and more delicate flavor whereas cassia cinnamon is slightly darker in color and has a stronger flavor. Cassia, on the other hand, has this dark reddish-brown color. But, most people probably won't be able to tell. One of the primary differences between cinnamon and cassia is the coumarin content. Coumarin is a naturally occurring component of some plants that can be toxic when taken in large amounts. Another key difference between the two is found in the taste. 17 August, 2011 . The level of coumarins is high in Cassia cinnamon whereas Ceylon cinnamon hardly has any.The tolerable daily intake (TDI) of Cassia cinnamon is 0.05 mg/lb. It has also been more widely studied compared to Ceylon cinnamon. The differences between Ceylon & Cassia cinnamon. difference between cassia and cinnamon It reduces your risk for serious health issues: Depending on the dosage amount, you can receive tons of healthy benefits by including cinnamon in your diet. Thankfully, it IS fairly easy to tell the difference between Ceylon and cassia sticks. Fact Checked . Ceylon Cinnamon sticks are soft, crumbly and rolled like cigar with layers of soft brittle Cinnamon bark. Its scientific name is Cinnamomom cassia, also known as Cinnamomom aromaticaum. Cassia cinnamon is the one you use everyday. Perhaps more importantly, if you live in the U.S. (or Denmark, apparently), virtually every single cinnamon-flavored thing you have ever tasted in your life has contained cassia, not Ceylon cinnamon. Ceylon is softer, fruitier, and more floral, making it great in fruit desserts. The bark of Cassia is also strong and rough while Madagascar cinnamon is smooth and paler in colour, crumbly (easy to break). This has caused some to vilify Cassia because large amounts of coumarin have been … Cinnamon has been used in cooking and as a traditional herbal medicine for centuries. Cassia Cinnamon has 5% coumarin or 1200 time more coumarin than Ceylon Cinnamon’s 0.004% coumarin content. So when you purchase cinnamon powder, try to find on the product label the source … What the difference between Saigon Cinnamon VS Ceylon Cinnamon? Types of Cinnamon. These two cinnamons are not alike. You may be … Important Nuggets: Ceylon Cinnamon – Tan Brown; Cassia Cinnamon – Reddish Dark … Taste; Ceylon has a sweet and mild taste with a sophisticated aroma while Cassia has a strong spicy flavor and an equally strong aroma. The problem is that there is no way to distinguish between Ceylon cinnamon and cassia powders. The Difference between Cassia and Ceylon Cinnamon and its Powerful Medicinal Properties 2 months ago . Ceylon (“true” cinnamon) is much better in this regard, and studies show that it’s much lower in coumarin than the Cassia variety ( 39 ). They are slightly lighter in color, and can easily be ground or crushed in your coffee or spice grinder. This is something you need to know about the difference between cassia and true cinnamon, even though you can’t spot it directly. Real cinnamon sticks or quills curl in a telescopic form, in a perfect circle. Cinnamon–the real deal–comes from the plant Cinnamomum zeylanicum, also known as the Cinnamomum verum plant. While both provide … Flavor differences aside, this is the part worth paying attention to: All cinnamons have some … Cassia has a reddish-brown color, which is close to the mahogany color. The truth is, while there are definitely color, taste and texture variations between Ceylon and Cassia cinnamon, the health differences are minor. Add cinnamon to your diet to reap the health benefits of this nutritious spice. "Ceylon cinnamon is heady, sweet and spicy," says nutritionist and former BBC food professional Gina Waggott, while cassia is more robust. Ceylon Cinnamon is lighter in color while other Cinnamon tends to be darker in color. Ceylon cinnamon, which is native to Sri Lanka, is more difficult to find and more expensive. Home difference between cassia and cinnamon. Coumarin is a moderately toxic component and, as you can see, there’s very little of it in the real cinnamon. Ceylon Cinnamon, on the other hand, has a tan brown color, which is quite close to the color of gold. When we compare real ceylon cinnamon and cassia cinnamon, there are clear physical differences to identify them. How to Tell the Difference Between Cinnamon and Cassia. Nevertheless, this is not the case. Ceylon Vs. Cassia. All other forms of cinnamon, except for Ceylon cinnamon, are extremely high in a plant substance known as coumarin. What is the difference between Ceylon and Cassia cinnamon? True cinnamon sticks or quills curl in a telescopic form, that is in a perfect circle, while cassia sticks curl inward from both sides, appearing like a scroll. VIDEO DESCRIPTION: This video gives you an overview of major differences between Chinese or Cassia Cinnamon and True or Ceylon Cinnamon. There are no dramatic nutritional differences between the two cinnamons. Coumarin has been found in multiple studies to be extremely high in toxic properties that can burden the liver in large amounts. How do you tell the difference between Cassia and Ceylon Cinnamon? How to Tell the Difference Between Cinnamon and Cassia . A lot of internet hay has been made out of the liver toxicity of coumarin in Cassia cinnamon, but the truth is that the risk is so low as to be virtually nonexistent! The two are not interchangeable: for instance, when making sweet or savory Mexican dishes that call for cinnamon (cajeta, certain moles, etc.) Cassia is hotter (think red hots) and much more assertive in flavor, making it ideal for cinnamon-forward desserts like cinnamon rolls or babka. Although there are hundreds of varieties, only two main varieties are maily used on a daily basis. I believed that Ceylon Cinnamon is the same as Cassia and the only difference is that it comes from Sri Lanka. Cinnamon comes from the bark of evergreen trees. If you are buying cinnamon powder to use in a recipe, I recommend purchasing a cinnamon product that identifies the source of its cinnamon or calling the manufacturer to obtain this information. How to Tell the Difference Between Ceylon Cinnamon and Cassia Cinnamon. Color; Ceylon has this tan-brown light color. In the case of stick cinnamon, however, there is one … For example, just 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon a day can improve your digestion, … There are two different kinds – cassia cinamon and Ceylon cinnamon. Before I go into describing what I call “fake” cinnamon, let’s bust a myth wide open. For example, the … Cassia's flavor is spicy sweet with a mild scent . If You Didn’t Already Know What Cinnamon Is, Let’s Clear It Up. Cassia cinnamon is more common and can be easily found in grocery stores and supermarkets. Cassia sticks are much harder and are a single layer. Eating a relatively small … cassia is too harsh and will throw the flavor off balance. "It's a bit like the difference between a dark-roast coffee and a regular one," she adds. I was very surprised finding out how different they are both in their appearance and in medicinal … Ceylon vs Cassia Cinnamon (The Issue of Coumarin): Cassia cinnamon (not Ceylon cinnamon) contains a relatively high amount of coumarin, a naturally occurring substance that some plants use as a defense mechanism against predators. Cassia Cinnamon tastes stronger and hotter while Ceylon Cinnamon is full of lighter, brighter citreous tones. In Cassia however it … Madagascar/Ceylon cinnamon rolls … So, true to its name, Ceylon Cinnamon cannot originate from elsewhere in the world. Saigon cinnamon is a species of cassia cinnamon with a stronger flavor and aroma than other varieties. Cinnamon spice comes from the dried inner bark of the Cinnamomum tree that belongs to the family Lauraceae. The Difference Between Burma Cinnamon & Ceylon Cinnamon. But, cassia sticks curl inward from both sides, appearing like a scroll. One is not true cinnamon at all, but the … Cinnamon or what is more colloquially referred to as “true cinnamon”, “real cinnamon” or Ceylon cinnamon originates from the Cinnamomum zeylanicum plant that is native to Sri Lanka. So, true to its name, Ceylon Cinnamon cannot originate from elsewhere in the world. Ceylon cinnamon is costly and a delicacy for its rich flavour. But the issue is, when you buy ceylon cinnamon powder from supermarkets or groceries, you can only identify ceylon cinnamon powder through the label it is packed. It Is Better to Use Ceylon (“True” Cinnamon) All cinnamon should have health benefits, but Cassia may cause problems in large doses due to the coumarin content. Most cinnamon sold in the United States is the cassia variety, which is often labeled as Chinese cinnamon. True Ceylon cinnamon sticks will be composed of many layers, and almost remind me of a cigar. In fact, I always thought that cinnamon is the same and the difference is only their origin. The main way to tell the difference between cassia bark and Ceylon cinnamon is how the bark is rolled. The first thing you’ll notice right away when it comes to spotting the difference between Cassia Cinnamon and Ceylon Cinnamon is their color. Cassia owes its deep reddish-brown color to the cinnamon tree, from which one piece of hard bark is harvested, and then rolled or ground. … Just as we should be … Ceylon Cinnamon is also is known as the safest and also called true or real cinnamon. Cassia does contain more coumarin, which is a naturally-occurring anti-coagulant (i.e. One of the most discussed differences between the two is the amount of coumarin, which is 5 % in cassia and only 0.4 % in Celyon cinnamon. A derivative of coumarin is the major component of the drug Warfarin, an anticoagulant that inhibits the activity of Vitamin K in the clotting of blood. 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