During these difficult times, Passion for Spices™ Team wants to showcase the immune system boosting spices that you can incorporate into your pantry for everyday use. This series is called Spice Up Your Pantry, where we will be showcasing basic spices that boost your immune system, and how you can use them in your everyday food.

Cinnamon and Cassia

Cinnamon

Description: Ceylon Cinnamon is made by cutting the stems of the Cinnamomum tree. The inner bark is then extracted and the woody parts are removed. When the inner bark dries, it curls into rolls that can then be ground into powder.

Health Benefits: Cinnamon is loaded with antioxidants that have anti-inflammation properties and also can preserve foods. It may cut the risk of heart disease, lower blood sugar levels, and may have beneficial effects on neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s. Animal studies have indicated that cinnamon may act against cancer cells, while Cinnamaldehyde, the main active component of cinnamon, can fight bacterial infections.

Origin: Cinnamon is native to Sri Lanka, the Indian Malabar Coast, and Myanmar (Burma). It is also cultivated in South America and the West Indies.

cassia

Description: Two main types of cinnamon are the above Ceylon Cinnamon and Cassia Cinnamon, also called Chinese Cinnamon. Although obtained in a similar process to Ceylon Cinnamon, Cassia is thicker and tends to have a dark-brown color. It has a more pungent and less delicate flavor.

Health Benefits: High in Coumarin, Cassia can be dangerous if consumed in large quantities because of its potential to inflict damage to the kidneys, the liver, and the lungs. However, it is the most widely available cinnamon in stores and has been used in Chinese medicine for centuries. Cassia has similar benefits to Ceylon Cinnamon, but its essential oil ratios are somewhat different. If you eat a lot of cinnamon, it is much safer to use Ceylon Cinnamon.

Origin: Cassia cinnamon comes from the Cinnamomum cassia tree. Originally from Southern China, it is now grown in Eastern and Southern Asia.

Culinary Use of Cinnamon and Cassia

apple crisp

Enjoy this complimentary recipe from Passion for Spices™ showcasing cinnamon.

Procedure:

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Place apples, lemon juice and Kashmiri Garam Masala in a baking dish and spread evenly.

2. For the crumb topping, mix all ingredients to form a crumb consistency.

3. Sprinkle topping on top of the apples.

4. Bake apples for 40 minutes until the top is crisp and the apples bubble. Place apple slices in individual bowls and serve warm with vanilla ice cream.

Ingredients:

4 cups apples peeled, cored, and sliced
2 tbsp lemon juice
½ tsp Kashmiri Garam Masala

For the Crumb Topping:
1/2 cup flour
1 tsp. Kashmiri Garam Masala
2 tbsp butter (cold)
1/2 cup brown sugar
3 tbsp old-fashioned oatmeal