When we research cinnamon, we can find it is one of the most popular and best-selling spices in the world. Now it is an essential spice in every kitchen. It’s worth noting that cinnamon comes in different grades, each with its unique characteristics and uses.
In Ancient Egypt, cinnamon was one of the first traded spices. Apart from the history of cinnamon, it is harvested from the inner bark of the Cinnamomum Verum (evergreen) tree. Also, this evergreen tree is native to Sri Lanka. And the name “Ceylon” for cinnamon is derived from Sri Lanka’s former name (Sri Lanka was formerly known as Ceylon).
Choosing the Right Cinnamon Grades
In addition, Ceylon cinnamon is available in quills, quillings, chips, and cinnamon powder form. Also, we can use cinnamon essential oil and other supplements. You may notice that there are two types of labels for cinnamon on the market. The majority of sellers label cassia as true cinnamon (75% of cinnamon sold in the United States is Cassia). Don’t confuse cassia with true cinnamon. But you can buy it at a very cheap price compared to Ceylon Cinnamon in the market.
True cinnamon is golden-brown in color and contains many tight and soft layers in the stick rather than a single coiled strip of bark. Also, compared with cassia and other varieties, Ceylon Cinnamon has a milder flavor profile and a sweeter, spicy taste.
As one of our favorite household spices, we have many uses, especially in medicinal applications, sweet baked goods (Cinnamon rolls), flavored beverages, sprinkled on lattes, desserts, and savory curries.
You should know these Cinnamon Phrases and Expressions
Understanding and communicating the grades You should have knowledge of the following words:
| Quills | Synonym for the sticks. The number of cinnamon quills per kilogram. |
| Cut quills | The term “cut quills” refers to cinnamon sticks that have been cut. cut into 5-inch, 7-inch, or full bales. |
| Quillings | Quillings may contain featherings and chips |
| Feathering | Feathering may contain up to 10% by mass of chips |
| Chips | Chips shall be made from well-dried, hand-picked, clean, unpeeled cinnamon bark |
Therefore, you may notice the above words in markets when you are buying cinnamon or selling it. In addition, we identify the following standard cinnamon grades in the market: Most importantly, the grades differ from the diameter size of the sticks:
Further, ALBA is the top seller of cinnamon in the US market.
Cinnamon packaging and storing
The cinnamon storage warehouse should be a cool, dark, and dry place in a sealed package. And, we carefully watch the warehouse ventilation and proof against the entry of insects.
FULL BALE: (42-inch sticks) full-bale cinnamon pack uncut long sticks (quills) are packed with an inner poly liner and wrapped in Jute Hessian cylindric bales. Therefore, the weight varies depending on customer requirements (25 kg–45 kg).
Quillings: Broken pieces of varying sizes of all grades of cinnamon quills are packed in poly bags or jute bags each 25 kg to 50 kg as per the customer’s requirement.
Cinnamon cuts: usually packed in rubber-banded bundles or 1 kg packaging in corrugated cartons. 20 kilos, 25 kilos, and up to 40 kilos per carton. And, you can request different cut sizes; for example, 5 inches, 7 inches, 12 inches cut, etc.
Private label packaging: Cinnamon under your own brand name. Therefore, you can request packaging according to your requirements. It can be a box, pouch, tin, can, or cinnamon bag.
Top 05 Things To Look For When Buying Cinnamon
| Color | Pale brown (golden brown) to slightly reddish color
Ground cinnamon has a strong aroma and is yellowish to reddish-brown in color. |
| Aroma | fresh aroma characteristic |
| Flavor | Ceylon cinnamon has a delicate and sweet flavor that distinguishes it from others. |
| Moisture | Not more than 15% for quills and 12% for other grades |
| Volatile Oil | A minimum of 1% for quills and 0.7% for other grades on a dry basis. |
Organic Cinnamon vs. Conventional Cinnamon
Organic cinnamon is free of synthetic fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides. Our estates are also certified by the USDA, EU, and JAS. Therefore, you get a transaction certificate for each cinnamon order to ensure organic production.
In addition, for all conventional cinnamon, we use sulfur treatment, which enhances the color profile of the stick. And, when it comes to organic cinnamon, the supplier should not use sulfur treatment. As a result, the sticks get a little dark in color.
However, whether you buy organic cinnamon or conventional, there is no taste, aroma, or flavor difference between them.
Furthermore, by offering fair-trade certified cinnamon, we ensure fair-trade agricultural practices. Working under the Fairtrade International plantation management system, we were also able to improve the worker communities’ medical, housing, and educational facilities.