Cassia cinnamon sticks are darker in color and comprised of a thick layer of rolled bark, whereas Ceylon sticks are lighter with thinner, more fibrous-looking layers. The distinction is harder to make with the powdered form, but if not called out on the label, it is safe to assume you are buying cassia cinnamon.
It is difficult to tell the difference between Cassia and Ceylon cinnamon visually when they are in powder form, but the cinnamon sticks look quite different. Cassia cinnamon sticks are one thick, firm layer of bark, rolled up, whereas Ceylon is several thin, soft layers of bark rolled together.
Cassia and Ceylon cinnamon have different tastes, textures, and bark colors. Cassia cinnamon is strong in both flavor and texture, with a dark brown color. Ceylon cinnamon is softer and more refined in flavor and texture with a light brown hue. These differences are due to how the cinnamons are grown and harvested.
Ceylon cinnamon is tan-brown in color and has a thin paper-like texture that forms multiple layers when rolled. Cassia cinnamon on the other hand is reddish dark brown in color and only forms a few layers when rolled due to its uneven thick barks. Buy Ceylon cinnamon sticks to enjoy a premium culinary experience.
McCormick Ground Cinnamon
Because their ground cinnamon is classified as cinnamon cassia the flavor profile will be much stronger and sweeter than Ceylon cinnamon.
Cinnamomum verum (Ceylon Cinnamon)
Often called true cinnamon, Ceylon cinnamon, or soft cinnamon, this variety is native to Sri Lanka and Southern India, but is widely grown in Mexico and East Africa. It is also sometimes called soft cinnamon because of its soft texture.
Given the lack of evidence about its safety, children, pregnant women, and women who are breastfeeding should avoid cinnamon as a treatment. Lower blood sugar. Cinnamon may affect your blood sugar, so if you have diabetes and take cinnamon supplements, you might need to adjust your treatment.
When it comes to colour, Ceylon Cinnamon is tan brown whereas Cassia Cinnamon takes some reddish dark brown. As far as the texture or the feel is concerned, Ceylon Cinnamon is thin and papery and forms multiple layers when rolled up.
Ceylon cinnamon is full of antioxidants, which help your body handle free radicals and lowers your risk of health conditions like cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. Ceylon cinnamon is also rich in the mineral manganese.
It's all about whether it's fresh and how it's processed! You see, most powdered cinnamon that you buy at the store is manufactured with an industrial grinding process, which tends to dilute the value of nutrients contained in the plant. Sometimes, they even add flour to stop it from caking.
Ceylon cinnamon's flavor and aroma are extremely mild and delicate—it definitely reads as "cinnamon," but with subtle, almost floral notes in there.
Ceylon cinnamon is considered to be the most delicate among the major species of cinnamon. Its flavor is more subdued, less bitter, and has a sweet finish. It has a sweet aromatic smell. Whereas, cassia shares a strong, spicy-sweet flavor, and aroma.
Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume, known as Ceylon cinnamon, is native to Sri Lanka, whereas Cinnamomum cassia J. Presl (Cassia cinnamon) and other types of Cinnamomum spp. are grown in China and many other parts of Asia.
Ceylon cinnamon might lower blood pressure. Taking ceylon cinnamon along with medications that lower blood pressure might cause blood pressure to go too low.
Ceylon cinnamon – this contains only trace amounts of coumarin, so can be consumed in larger amounts of up to 5g (2.5tsp) a day. Avoid taking cinnamon supplements if you are: pregnant or a child – it hasn't been proved safe.
Per WebMD, a daily intake of ½ to 1 teaspoon of cinnamon per day is the limit, per some experts. This equals 2 to 4 grams of cinnamon a day, with the U.S. Department of Health saying that up to 6 grams of cinnamon per day is safe (via The Whole U).
Considered the world's best cinnamon, Ceylon cinnamon has been grown and produced in Sri Lanka for generations.
The cinnamon bark is harvested directly from the tree—McCormick sources premium quality whole cinnamon, which mitigates the chance for added ingredients and contamination that could be encountered by sourcing a pre-ground product.
Saigon cinnamon is a good alternative to ceylon cinnamon powder, but only if you aren't making traditional dishes that call for Ceylon. These include dishes from Mexico or Southeast Asia. Using Saigon cinnamon as an alternative to Ceylon will alter the flavor of the dish and will take away the authenticity.