Cinnamomum verum / Cinnamomum cassia
Cinnamon changes the perceived warmth and sweetness of food with very little ingredient overhead.
Regional names
True cinnamon, Cassia
Origin
Dried aromatic bark used in sweet and savory dishes, beverages, and spice blends.
Native region
Sri Lanka and southern China depending on variety
Season
Dried spice available year-round
Food Combinations & Timing
Safe Combination Profile
It is safe to eat this food item with other food items.
Nutritional profile
Calories
247 kcal / 100 g
Protein
4 g per 100 g
Carbs
81 g per 100 g
Fat
1.2 g per 100 g
Fiber
53 g per 100 g
Water content
10%
Glycemic index
Negligible in culinary amounts
Vitamins
Minerals
Health benefits
Evidence-aligned highlights
Flavor notes
Sweet, Warm, Woody
Texture
Powdery when ground, brittle as bark
Aroma
Perfumed and warming
Pairings
Oats, Apple, Chocolate, Yogurt, Coffee
Safety & toxicity
Edible parts
Ground bark, Sticks for infusions
Toxic or risky parts
Cassia cinnamon is high in coumarin when consumed heavily
Raw vs cooked
Used raw in blends or heated in baked goods, porridges, and drinks.
Allergies & intolerances
Spice sensitivity or oral irritation can occur.
Drug interactions
Very large supplemental amounts may matter for liver conditions or blood sugar medicines.
Safe daily limit
Culinary amounts are fine; avoid routine heavy spoonful doses, especially with cassia types.
Who should avoid & how to handle it
Who should avoid or moderate
Preparation & storage
Cuisine & cultural use
Common cuisines
Cinnamon appears in Middle Eastern, Mexican, European baking, South Asian, often because its flavor structure and prep speed fit both everyday cooking and ceremonial dishes.
Dynamic Substitutions
No alternatives recorded for this specific item. It is chemically or botanically unique in the database.
🌱 Cultivation & Production
Learn how to grow and cultivate cinnamon at home, whether you live in an urban apartment or have access to outdoor garden land.
Apartment Friendly
✗ Not Ideal for Apartments
Urban Space Advice
Not recommended for apartments unless using specialized dwarf varieties in large, heavy pots.
Difficulty
Hard
Propagation
Grafting (commercial propagation) or seeds (slower growth).
Soil Type
Deep, well-draining garden soil
Watering
Deep watering once a week
Sunlight
Full sun (8+ hours daily)
Best Season
Spring planting; fruits in Summer/Autumn
Step-by-Step Growing Guide
For garden planting: Choose a sunny spot with deep, fertile, well-draining soil.
Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and plant at the same depth as the container.
Water deeply once a week, especially during the first two years and during fruiting.
Prune annually in late winter to remove dead wood and shape the tree for sun exposure.
Quick recipes
Breakfast
Cooked quinoa reheated with yogurt and cinnamon for a higher-protein start.
Ingredients
Nutrition
Preparation Steps
Breakfast
Warm breakfast oats with apple and spice in a single bowl.
Ingredients
Nutrition
Preparation Steps
Snack
A comforting hot drink infused with cinnamon bark and a touch of maple syrup.
Ingredients
Nutrition
Preparation Steps
