How to Use Ceylon Cinnamon
The One and Only True Cinnamon
Sweet | Warm | Delicate | Floral
Ceylon cinnamon is refined, elegant. Unlike cassia's assertiveness, true cinnamon invites nuance, never overpowering. And it isn't just for holiday desserts! It can do so much more. Discover it's versatility...
COOKING TIPS
- Ceylon cinnamon brings a refined sweetness and floral elegance to many dishes without overpowering them. It has a citrusy, clove-like fragrance that works beautifully in custards, porridges, poached fruits, and warm beverages like chai or café de olla.
- Ceylon doesn’t taste sweet itself, but it enhances the perception of sweetness in other ingredients. This makes it perfect for pastries and desserts, while also helping to draw out the sweeter notes in savory dishes like North African stews or mild Indian dals.
- Try simmering whole quills in broths, sauces, soups, and rice puddings.
GRINDING
- Ground Ceylon cinnamon is best when freshly prepared, as its volatile oils will vanish quickly. Unlike the hard and thick cassia sticks, true cinnamon bark is papery, fragile, and layered, so it grinds much more easily. Use a dedicated spice grinder to produce a fine, fragrant powder just before baking or blending.
- Add ground Ceylon to spice blends, breads, cookies, fruity desserts, and even warm milk or oatmeal. Sprinkle it on nuts, chocolate, stone fruits, and dairy.
- For savory cooking, mix cinnamon powder into mild rubs or stir into curries early in the process to help its flavor bloom fully.
TOASTING & INFUSING
- You can toast broken quills in a dry skillet to draw out deep, nutty, and woody notes, but be gentle. Ceylon’s subtleties are easily lost if overheated. Toast just until aromatic, then steep in fat, cream, or alcohol like liqueur- or wine-based liquids. Cinnamon's flavor compounds don’t dissolve well in water.
- Whole sticks also make excellent stirrers for warm drinks. Swirl one into coffee or hot chocolate to slowly infuse them over time without becoming bitter.
STORING
- Because the delicate top notes of true cinnamon quickly dissipate once ground, it's best to buy and store whole Ceylon cinnamon in an airtight container in a cool, dry, dark place and grind it as needed. Quills will last up to 2 years when stored properly, its layered bark helping to protect the precious essential oils inside.
- Ground cinnamon fades quickly and should be bought in small quantities and used within 3 months.
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