Cinnamon and its Look-a-Likes

It is a favorite spice for many – that instinctive floral flavor with a bit of heat.  But, did you know cinnamon can do this?

• Reduce your blood sugar
• Calm your stomach
• Stop that resistant yeast infection
• Keep any leukemia and lymphoma cells from proliferating* 
• Reduce your arthritis pain 
• Act as a natural food preservative by inhibiting bacterial growth
• Increase your manganese, iron and calcium levels
• Lower your LDL cholesterol levels

Read the Fine Print

Who knew such a darling of our spice cabinet held such power.  But wait a moment and look a little further as there is an important caveat regarding the label of our old friend.  Most cinnamon labeled as such at most grocery stores is really not the cinnamon that carries the same level of health benefits listed above.

It may look and smell and even taste like cinnamon, but it may be actually cassia, not the true cinnamon, Ceylon Cinnamon.  Ceylon Cinnamon also has a more subtle flavor with a little less bite and a more floral note.

Inside Cassia

So why all the fuss?  Here is the distinction:  Cassia contains coumarin, a naturally occurring toxin which has the potential to damage the liver in high doses. Cassia contains high levels of this, whereas Ceylon contains only traces. Those high levels of coumarin in the cassia is what brings on the undesirable side effects listed in the section below.

Always check your source and read labels to ensure you are purchasing the true one - Ceylon.  Also note that Cassia is also referred to as Vietnamese, Chinese, Saigon, Java or Padang Cinnamon. Check your labels for those, too.  Or, if nothing is listed on the label, before you toss anything out of your spice drawer, call the manufacturer to identify their cinnamon source.

Side Effects

Go ahead and sprinkle, but keep in mind, like most foods, too much of a good thing is . . . well, . . . not a good thing.  More than half a teaspoon at once can do this:

• Irritate your stomach
• Increases your heart rate – not always desirable.
• Act as a blood thinner so not good before surgery or if you are taking prescription blood thinners.
• React as a rather powerful antibiotic so if you are on a prescription for one, it could interact with your other drugs.
• Strain your kidney and liver

Almond Cinnamon Crunch

Here is a recipe that uses Ceylon Cinnamon that I enjoy as a treat or little gift:  It contains a bit of sugar, though.  Great to take to all the upcoming fall football games!


Gather

• 2 cups whole raw almonds
• 3 tablespoons raw honey
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 teaspoons almond oil or coconut oil
• 1/8 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 tablespoon ground Ceylon Cinnamon

parchment paper


Now do this

• Roast almonds in single layer in a 350 degree oven on a tray lined with parchment paper for about 15 minutes or until deeper in color.
• While almonds are roasting, combine honey, water, oil and vanilla in medium sized pan and let it come to a boil.  Keep warm.
• Combine sugar, salt and cinnamon in small bowl. Set aside.
• Add almonds to the honey mixture and stir until well coated and until almonds have soaked up the mixture, about 5 minutes.
• Transfer the nuts back to the parchment paper in a single layer and sprinkle with cinnamon mixture.
• Allow to cool.
• Store in sealed container.

recipe adapted from cooks.com
*U.S. Department of Agriculture