The smell of cinnamon takes me back across seven seas to early morning teatime with my parents. My mom and dad had the same routine when they retired – morning tea and exercise, and then about an hour later a cup of infused hot water, holy basil (tulsi) in the summer and cinnamon in the winter. My parents live in India, I live in Canada. It’s amazing how just a little sniff of the sweet aroma of cinnamon can transport me to the other side of the world.
What is Cinnamon?
Cinnamon is the inner bark of the Cinnamomum tree and is made by cutting the stem and then extracting the woody part. Once the bark dries up, it forms strips that curl into rolls that we know as cinnamon sticks. Perfectly sized to stir hot chocolate, I feel!
Benefits of Cinnamon
A popular and delicious spice, cinnamon is high in cinnamaldehyde which is responsible for most of the health benefits that make it an essential addition to our family’s dinner table.
- Cinnamon contains large amounts of highly potent polyphenol antioxidants that have a long-term positive effect on the aging of the body.
- The spice is a known anti-inflammatory and helps the body fight various kinds of infections and repair tissue damage. It’s ideal for the cold and flu season.
- I found out Cinnamon is also known for lowering blood sugar. It has a beneficial effect on insulin resistance and can minimize the effects of a big meal. So sprinkle away.
- Its anti-bacterial properties provide relief during cold, cough and sore throat season. My mother brews cinnamon stick tea and with the first sip I feel its magic working on my throat and my belly.
- As a traditionally warming ingredient, cinnamon is used to heat the body from the inside especially when mixed with some fresh ginger. Traditional remedies in ancient China and India believe that the warmth of Cinnamon increases blood flow and improves blood oxygen levels to help fight off illness.
- Traditional medicine (and also my mother!) recommends Cinnamon to help clear up particularly phlegmy coughs.
- For generations, Cinnamon has been used to battle stomach bugs. Its powerful anti-bacterial properties provide a lot of comfort.
Essential for a mother – Research shows that just smelling cinnamon improves cognitive processing. Consuming it significantly improves brain function. It is also known to improve the quality of sleep. As soon as I read that, I knew this spice was essential for me especially since I became a mother. Mommy brain anyone?
Flavour of Cinnamon
I love the sweetness of Cinnamon and I find I don’t need to add as much sugar to satisfy my sweet tooth. It goes really well with sweet and savoury dishes and the wonderful aroma in the kitchen immediately feels festive, even when you’re going through just a normal crazy Wednesday weeknight.
Cooking with Cinnamon
I use Cinnamon in its stick or bark form to add flavour, and then pick it out just as the kids are laying the dinner table. You can add the powdered spice at any stage in a dish, but use it carefully since the flavour is strong and a little goes a long way. A caveat – cinnamon in large quantities has been known to be toxic. Like in everything else, I suggest starting small and see how much your palate can stand.
My two favourite recipes using cinnamon arebrewed tea (similar to the Kashmiri kahwa) and chai masala. I got both recipes from my mother and grandmother that you’ll see them on Maple and Marigold. In the meanwhile, try these ideas to boost the use of cinnamon in your kitchen.
- Inbaking, I often replace vanilla with cinnamon to get the wintry feel in my cakes, cookies and muffins.
- A sprinkle of cinnamon adds a delicious sweetness without sugar in my coffee.
- Add homemade cinnamon sugar to pies, hot oatmeal or french toast.
- Sprinkle some cinnamon in your children’s hot chocolate. They’ll love it.
- Makemulled wine – the combination with cinnamon and other spices I promise you, is unbeatable!
- Fold cinnamon into yoghurt, along with fresh fruit, nuts or seeds, for a healthy and yummy breakfast.
- Season roasted or grilled fruit with cinnamon and serve with ice cream.
- Add a couple of small pieces to soups, curries and stews while cooking.
- Season roasted vegetables – especially winter vegetables like cauliflower and butternut squash with a pinch of cinnamon.
- Stir a little cinnamon into candied nuts to “spice” them up.
There are so many amazing benefits of cinnamon, not to mention the powerful scent and flavour. Give the above tips a try and let me know in the comments below how you like your cinnamon!
