Cookbook:Cinnamon

Cinnamon is a spice obtained from the dried inner bark of various related trees native to Asia.

Varieties
Several varieties of cinnamon are used as food, including Ceylon or "true" cinnamon, cassia or Chinese cinnamon, and Indonesian cinnamon. Ceylon and cassia cinnamons are the most common. In some countries, both cassia and Ceylon cinnamons can be marketed simply as cinnamon, while other countries only allow Ceylon cinnamon to be marketed as such. Once ground, the two varieties are very difficult to distinguish.

Characteristics
Cinnamon is brown and woody, and the whole "sticks" are curled up on themselves. Notably, Ceylon cinnamon forms a single, thin, spiral composed of many layers, while cassia cinnamon forms two thick curls that meet in the middle. Cassia is also typically redder and darker than Ceylon cinnamon.

All varieties of cinnamon contain the characteristic cinnamon flavor compound of cinnamaldehyde, which gives it a so-called "warming" or spicy quality. However, there are other, more subtle flavor nuances between different varieties. Ceylon cinnamon is generally milder than cassia, with floral and clove-like notes. Cassia, on the other hand, is stronger, peppery, and more bitter.

Selection and storage
Cinnamon can be purchased in either the whole "stick" form or ground to a fine powder. Both keep very well when stored in an airtight container away from moisture, though the ground form loses flavor more quickly. Still, purchasing ground cinnamon is typically worth it since whole cinnamon is challenging to grind.

Use
Cinnamon is widely popular and employed in cookery as a flavouring material, being used in both sweet and savory dishes. Because cinnamon tends to enhance the sweet flavor of dishes, it is especially associated with various desserts and pastries, as well as fruity beverages. It also complements meats well and is used in many such dishes in Asian and North African cuisines. Because the aromatic components of cinnamon are not particularly water-soluble, cinnamon needs to be either cooked in oil or heated for a long time in an aqueous mixture.

Substitution
Generally speaking, the different varieties of cinnamon can be substituted for each other, with some adjustment to compensate for the slight difference in flavor and potency.