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ceylon cinnamon, identify true cinnamon from cassia

ceylon cinnamon renushomeceylon cinnamon – how to identify true cinnamon from cassia, a cheap and harmful variety.

Little do many of us know that the variety sold in most super markets and grocery stores known as cassia is not the true cinnamon that can provide us the health benefits by using it in the right way.
 
There are 2 kinds of cinamon.
ceylon cinnamon known as “true Cinnamon” is different from the “cassia cinnamon” that is used by a larger population in the world and it also comes with risk.
 
true cinnamon comes with lot of health benefits like regulating cholesterol levels, inhibiting the growth of fungus, expelling phlegm. While cassia may cause health hazards to liver and kidneys when used in a bit more quantity regularly.
 
true cinnamon has a dominant, sweet, pleasant aroma and taste that can rob ones heart while cassia is pungent and has a sharp strong smell and taste.
 
In the picture below, the top 3 thick barks are cassia and the bottom bundle of thin barks is true or ceylon variety.

cassia renushome
ceylon or true cinnamon is paper like thin and rolled to many layers and is quite fragile, is easily breakable. cassia is rough textured and is thick and just hard to break. It is rolled to only a few layers.
 
true cinnamon is quite expensive and costs anywhere about 6 to 10 times the price of cassia. It has high medicinal properties and is used to heal certain infections and metabolic disorders while cassia comes with health risk when consumed in large quantities and is suitable only for occasional use for flavoring foods.
 
The amount of coumarins is different in both the types. Coumarins are a plant component that exist in cinamon that can be toxic when eaten in larger quantities. True variety has a very small amount of coumarins while cassia has a much higher content which can take a toll over the liver and kidneys if consumed regularly.

true cinnamon renushome
 
There is no way, one can find out whether the powder sold is made from ceylon cinnamon or cassia. Hence while buying the powder. It must be bought from trusted source or brand. There are a lot of brands selling organic spices. To obtain the best health benefits, it is always best to buy organic ceylon cinnamon and then make a powder of it at home.
 

How to make ceylon cinnamon powder

ceylon cinnamon, identify true cinnamon from cassia
 
Prep time
2 hours
Total time
2 hours
 
Detailed instructions on how to make ceylon cinnamon powder
Author: RENU SRIKANTH
Recipe type: How to
Cuisine: Global
Serves: 2 tbsps
Ingredients
  • ¼ cup of broken pieces
Instructions
  1. It is always best to buy Ceylon variety and if possible organic yields the best flavors and health benefits.
  2. ceylon cinnamon can be identified easily. They are thin barks rolled to multiple layers and are quite fragile.
  3. To make the powder, break open the layers, clean the inner parts of the bark with a clean kitchen towel or a dry cloth.
  4. Sun dry them for 2 hours. Any unseen creatures in the barks can be driven away by exposing to hot sun. Sun dried spices are easy to blend as well. Break up to tiny pieces if your blender is not powerful enough.
  5. Add them to a blender jar and powder.
  6. Seive the powder using a filter or a fine mesh.
  7. Add the coarse particles to the blender again and powder it again.
  8. The coarse particles can be used to make tea.
  9. The smooth powder can be stored in a glass jar for further use.
3.3.3070

 

Indian spices – glossary of Indian spices in english, hindi, tamil, telugu, kannada

Indian Spices – A list of Indian Spices in english, hindi, tamil, telugu and kannada with images for quick reference
Indian spices in hindi, tamil, teluguA fruit, root, bark, seed or a vegetable substance that is in the fresh or dried form primarily used for flavoring is a SPICE.  Spices are one of the most essentials of Indian cuisine. Most spices have their own medicinal and healing properties which have been trusted for centuries hence forth they are widely used in Indian Food.
 
I have prepared a Glossary of Indian Spices in English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada along with the pictures of most of them. If you happen to know a spice that is not mentioned in the list below, you can contribute it here in the comments section. I would be more than happy to add your entry to the table.

Glossary of Indian Spices in English, Hindi, Tamil

ENGLISHHINDITAMIL
AsafotediaHingPerungayam
Bay LeafTej PattaBrinji Ilai
Basil SeedsTukmaria, SabjaSabja
Black CardamomBadi ElaichiNalla Ellakai
Black CuminKala JeeraKarun Jeragam
Black PepperKali MirchMilagu
CarawayShahi JeeraShajeragam
Carom Seeds (Thymol)AjwainOmam
CinnamonDal ChiniPattai
ClovesLavang, LaungKrambu
Coriander SeedsSabut DaniyaKothamalli Vedhai
CuminJeeraJiragam
Dry GingerSoonth, SaunthSukku
Fennel Seeds (Anieseeds)SaunfSombu
Fenugreek SeedsMethi DanaVendhayam
Fresh gingerAdarakIngi
GarlicLehsunPoondu
Green CardamomChoti Elaichi, Hari ElaichiElakkai
KokumBhirinda
Large MustardSarsonKadugu
MaceJavithri, JapathriJathikai Thol
CapersKabra, KareerMarati Mokku
NutmegJaiphalJathikai
Onion SeedsKalonjiVengaya Vithai
Red ChiliLal MirchMilagai
Star AniseChakra PhoolAnachi Mokku
Stone Flower (Rock Flower)Pattar PhoolKalpaasi

Glossary of Indian Spices in English, Telugu, Kannada

ENGLISHTELUGUKANNADA
AsafotediaInguvaIngu
Bay LeafBiryani AkkuBiryani Ele
Basil SeedsSabjaSabja
Black CardamomNalla ElakkuluKari Elakki
Black CuminNalla JeelakaraKari Jeerege
Black PepperMiriyaluKari Menasu
CarawayShahijeerashahjeera
Carom Seeds (Thymol)Wamu, VamuAjwain
CinnamonDasina ChekkaChekke
ClovesLavangaluLavange
Coriander SeedsDaniyaluKothambari Kalu
CuminJeelakaraJeerige
Dry GingerSontiSunti
Fennel Seeds (Anieseeds)Sompu, SopuDodda Sompu
Fenugreek SeedsMenthuluMenthya
Fresh gingerAllamAlla
GarlicVelluliBeluuli
Green CardamomChina ElakkuluSana Elakki
Kokum
Large MustardAavaluSasive
MaceJapathri, Jajikaya Pathri
CapersMarati MogguMarati Moggu
NutmegJajikaya Jakayi
Onion SeedsUlli VithanaluEruli Beeja
Red ChiliEndu MirapakayaluVana Menasinakayi
Star AniseAnasa Puvu Anasi Hovvu
Stone Flower (Rock Flower)Dagad PhoolKalu Huvvu

Glossary of Indian Spices in EnglishGlossary of Indian Spices in hindiGlossary of Indian Spices in tamil

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