This article explores the different types of cinnamon, including Ceylon and cassia, and highlights the unique characteristics of Mexican cinnamon.
Sugar, spice and everything nice. That spice bit can get a little bit confusing. Come the holiday season, most of us are thinking of cinnamon. In South Texas, that typically means Mexican cinnamon. And there's plenty to unpack from our collective carry-on luggage there. Cinnamon, broadly speaking, is one of the most popular spices in the world, ranking right up there with culinary staples such as peppercorns, chiles and ginger.
It's an essential element to many recipes, particularly this time of year. And it's probably one of the most misunderstood. Cinnamon comes from the inner bark of several varieties of trees in the genus Cinnamomum. Ceylon cinnamon, often called 'true' cinnamon, is native to the South Asian country of Sri Lanka. Most of the cinnamon you'll find in stores is cassia, or cinnamon derived from trees grown in Indonesia, China and Vietnam. The flavor is similar to Ceylon cinnamon, but tends to have a more punchy, kick-in-the-teeth presence. Cassia is more widespread and affordable, but it lacks the subtlety of its Sri Lankan relative. GO BIG: The gigantic cinnamon rolls from Lulu’s, also at Green Vegetarian Cuisine, are actually very good Mexican cinnamon, which has a role in many traditional dishes and beverages beloved throughout the region, falls firmly into the 'true' cinnamon, or Ceylon, camp. Initially brought to the Veracruz area (thanks to its climate similar to Sri Lanka) through a complicated trade history involving Spain, the Netherlands and the Philippines, Mexican cinnamon has become its own being. There are subtle, but easy to spot, differences between cassia and Ceylon cinnamon. The more common (and affordable) cassia is thicker and more rigid. Ceylon cinnamon, whether grown in Mexico or Sri Lanka, is thinner and breaks apart more easily. 'The differences are in the looks but also in the flavor and aroma,' noted food writer and chef Pati Jinich says on her website. 'Ceylon or true cinnamon, has a milder but sweeter taste'
CINNAMON SPICES MEXICAN CINNAMON CEYLON CINNAMON CASSIA CINNAMON
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
The Good, The Bad, The Ugly: Georgia Football's Win over UMassUnpacking everything good, bad, and worse from Georgia's win over UMass.
Read more »
Can I Explain Germs to My Toddler?Plus: unpacking, living car-free, and a bestie en route.
Read more »
Unpacking Apple’s AI Roadblocks In The Chinese MarketTim Bajarin is recognized as one of the leading industry consultant and analysts, covering the field of personal computers and consumer technology. Mr. Bajarin has been with Creative Strategies since 1981 and has served as a consultant to most of the leading hardware and software vendors in the industry. Mr.
Read more »
Unpacking the new Jordan Peterson book – with much exhaustionFeedback takes one for the team and dips into the psychologist-turned-Youtuber's new tome, We Who Wrestle With God – only to quibble with the human biology it contains
Read more »
Luigi Mangione: When an Assassin Becomes a Folk HeroUnpacking the internet’s bizarre affection for the shooter.
Read more »
Sugar & Sage Bakery's Apple Cinnamon Crumble Pie RecipeLooking for a delicious treat to impress your guests this Christmas season? Here's how to make a Dallas holiday staple:
Read more »