Cinnamon is a spice made from the bark of the Cassia tree. The cinnamon is brown in color and has a delicately scented aroma and a warm sweet flavor. Cinnamon is used to flavoring a variety of foods. A sweet, aromatic spice, cinnamon is often an element of curries, blends, and is also used in many baked goods, including custards, puddings, cakes, cookies, fruit pies, and above all, everyone’s favorite, cinnamon rolls.
The inner bark of the cinnamon is extracted from the tree and when it dries, it forms strips that curl into rolls, called cinnamon sticks. These sticks are further choppered to form cinnamon powder.
Whole cinnamon sticks can be added to cook broths and simmering beverages, such as hot cinnamon tea.
Health Benefits of Cinnamon
Cinnamon can be helpful in the following areas:
- Diabetes
- Hypertension
- Metabolic syndrome
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Yeast infections
- Oral infections
- Common cold