We take our pantry shelves pretty seriously, cinnamon included. If you've been wondering about the Ceylon jar beside your usual cinnamon, here's the difference you'll notice in the kitchen: Ceylon has a gentler flavour, while cassia brings a bolder cinnamon kick.
Oatmeal, apple crumble, a mug of hot chocolate. There's plenty of room to try both. We've put the main differences below, along with a few ideas for using the jar you bring home.
Ceylon and cassia at a glance
| What you're choosing | Ceylon cinnamon | Cassia cinnamon |
|---|---|---|
| Name to look for | Ceylon; Cinnamomum verum or C. zeylanicum | Cassia; varieties include Korintje and Vietnamese cinnamon |
| Flavour starting point | Gentler, milder cinnamon flavour | Bolder cinnamon flavour |
| Try it when… | You want a lighter touch with pear, vanilla or hot chocolate | You want cinnamon to stand out in an apple filling or spiced bake |
| Buying ground cinnamon | Look for the variety on the label; colour alone won't identify it | If the jar only says “cinnamon”, check the maker's product details |
The serving ideas are suggestions to try in your own kitchen.
Two kinds of cinnamon worth knowing
Ceylon cinnamon comes from Cinnamomum verum, also called Cinnamomum zeylanicum. Cassia includes several related species, including the varieties sold as Korintje and Vietnamese cinnamon. “True cinnamon” is another name for Ceylon, rather than a quality grade.
Ceylon is generally milder, while cassia has a stronger flavour. Variety and freshness make a difference, so those descriptions are a guide to what you might enjoy.
Love a really cinnamon-y apple filling? Cassia is worth a try. For pear, vanilla or a lighter touch in hot chocolate, give Ceylon a go.
A quick look at the jar
Look for “Ceylon” and the botanical name on the package or in the maker’s product information. A jar marked “organic” can contain either variety; “ground” simply means it’s a powder.
On our shelves, you’ll find Simply Organic Ground Ceylon Cinnamon, 59 g. The maker identifies it as organic Cinnamomum verum. Just the one ingredient, in a little jar for the baking cupboard.
Our bulk herbs and spices section is worth a browse too. Check the exact cinnamon listed there, as bulk cinnamon isn’t automatically Ceylon. Keep its name and best-before details when you refill your own jar. A cupboard full of mystery spices gets confusing quickly.
Give it a go at breakfast
A warm bowl of oatmeal, sliced pear and a little cinnamon makes a lovely place to begin. Stir a pinch into your usual oats, taste, and add more if you like.
To compare two jars, divide the same oatmeal between two bowls and use a similar amount of each cinnamon. Keep the toppings the same so you can taste the difference.
Bring it into your baking
Try Ceylon or cassia in a muffin, cookie or crumble recipe you already love. Use the recipe’s amount of cinnamon for the first batch, then adjust next time to suit your taste.
Keep the flour, sweetener and other spices the same while you compare. That way you’ll know what the cinnamon changed.
Beyond the baking cupboard
There’s plenty for that jar to do beyond baking. Simply Organic suggests its Ceylon cinnamon for chai, Mexican hot chocolate, curries and tagines.
A light dusting over hot chocolate is an easy one to try. For dinner, look for a curry or tagine recipe that already includes cinnamon and follow its spice quantities.
Use the form your recipe calls for. Cinnamon sticks and ground cinnamon work differently in a dish, so check the recipe before swapping one for the other.
What about coumarin?
There’s also a difference in coumarin, a naturally occurring compound. Cassia generally contains much more than Ceylon. Germany’s Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) recommends moderation with cassia and choosing low-coumarin Ceylon when using large amounts frequently. Once cinnamon is ground, appearance won’t reliably tell you which variety it is. Check the label.
The guidance here is about cinnamon as a cooking spice, not taking it as a supplement or treating a health condition.
Make room away from the stove
Give your cinnamon a cool, dry cupboard away from sunlight and the stove. Keep the lid on, and measure into a spoon before adding it to a steaming pot. Simply Organic’s storage guide explains how heat, light and moisture affect spices.
Come see what’s on the spice shelves at 486 Starboard Drive in Bedford or 590 Portland Street in Dartmouth. You can also browse Simply Organic Ceylon cinnamon and our spices and seasonings online. After a particular jar? Check with the store before making the trip. For delivery, see our shipping information and the options for your basket and address.
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