How can I use Cinnamon?

Use these 5" Cinnamon sticks to make great swizzle sticks for coffee, mulled wine, hot tea, chocolate drinks and a variety of other warm beverages. Use one or two cinnamon sticks in poaching liquid for fruits. Make a flavorful addition to homemade chutneys, pickles and relishes with cinnamon. It also adds a sweet, woody aroma to potpourri.

For cooking: Use cinnamon sticks for steeping in milk for custards or custard sauces. Add sticks to cold liquid then bring to a simmer. If preparing a wine poaching liquid for fruit, cook the cinnamon sticks in the liquid along with the fruit. If using the cinnamon sticks to flavor milk for a custard, add it to the cold milk, bring to a simmer, then remove from the heat. Cover and let the milk steep with the cinnamon in it. If the sticks are very long and tightly wound, break them into pieces with your hands, then use the flat side of a knife to break it up so that more surfaces are exposed.

Why is Mexican Cinnamon different?

If you have ever tried Mexican Vanilla, you know the difference between the authentic and the store bought taste. The distinct flavor of mexican cinnamon is bold and sweet. It's difficult to describe... you'll just have to taste it yourself.

Where does Cinnamon come from?

Cinnamon is the dried inner bark of a tropical evergreen tree, of which there are about 100 different species, all with similar aromatic properties. A cinnamon stick is formed from a scrolled portion of bark. We sprinkle it on toast, stir it into hot apple cider and find it in toothpastes and candies.

The History of Cinnamon:

Cinnamon grew originally in southern Asia. Ancient Chinese herbals mention it as early as 2700 B.C. as a treatment for fever, diarrhea and menstrual problems. India’s ancient Ayurvedic healers used it similarly. When ancient travelers introduced the aromatic herb to the Egyptians, they added it enthusiastically to their embalming mixtures. Egyptian demand for cinnamon played a major role in ancient trade. Modern herbalists recommend cinnamon to relieve nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and indigestion, and as a flavoring agent for bitter-tasting healing-herb preparations. They can’t quite agree about how it affects the uterus. Some say it stimulates uterine contractions, others say it calms the uterus.

Medicinal uses of Cinnamon:

Cinnamon is more than a sweet treat. It’s one of the world’s oldest healers. Modern science has confirmed its value for prevention of infection, indigestion and is a powerful antiseptic; it kills many decay- and disease-causing bacteria, fungi and viruses. Cinnamon contains the natural anesthetic oil eugenol, which might help relieve the pain of household mishaps. Some herbalists say it may bring on menstruation.

For a warm, sweet, spicy infusion, use 1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon of powdered herb per cup of boiling water. Drink up to 3 cups a day. Not for children under age 2. For older children and persons over 65, start with low-strength preparations and increase strength if necessary. In powdered form, culinary amounts of cinnamon are nontoxic, though allergic reactions are possible.