Cinnamon’s fabled and flavourful history, health benefits, and simple recipe.
Unwrap the fascinating history, health benefits, and interesting culinary pairings around the world and in India. Then, whip up a simple at-home coffee recipe to enjoy the spiced beverage. Elevate your cinnamon life with Abe Mart’s premium ground cinnamon and cinnamon sticks.
Cinnamon – A tasty and fabled bark
Let us begin this blog with a very simple riddle. What looks like a bark, proffers warmth in winter, a cherished antiquity, could be a spice yet surprisingly tinged with sweetness? You guessed it right! The answer is our darling cinnamon. Cinnamon is one of the spices that has been casually laced into the world of traditional Ayurvedic medicine, fragrance, culinary masterpieces, essential oil blends, and other products.
The riddle clues cinnamon as a cherished antiquity, hence, we will first take a quick sneak peek into Cinny’s, aka, cinnamon’s, rich and fabled history.
Cinnamon history – A tale of adventure and mystery
Who would look at a sweet wood and see its promise to drive an economy? Definitely, our farsighted ancestors did. Cinnamon with its roots running deep in South and Southeast Asian countries was introduced to the spice routes for profitable trade. The distinct patchwork of sweet, spicy, and woody flavours with its warm aroma captivated continents aiding in favourably churning out money. The highly prized spice became a gift to the monarchs, even for the deities, and on the sands of Egypt, they were used to embalm mummies – some unmistakable, revelatory signs pointing towards cinnamon’s enduring legacy. On realizing the clout, shrewd Arabs mystified the source of the spice and brewed legends of giant cinnamon birds collecting cinnamon sticks from an unfamiliar land to construct their nests to charge more and retain a monopoly in trade. During the Middle Ages, the secrecy and tales centered around the exotic spice urged Europeans to set direct expeditions to find the origin of the spice leading to the establishment of colonies in Ceylon (Sri Lanka). As trade routes expanded, the spice transitioned from a luxury to a kitchen staple.
Cinnamon health benefits
Throughout history, traces of cinnamon’s ties as a medical substance can be noted in different regions across the globe. So, let’s see some of its health benefits.
- Antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral – fighter spirit
Cinnamaldehyde is a compound that renders the flavour and aroma of cinnamon and is naturally found in the bark of cinnamon trees. The compound houses antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties, thereby, controlling bacterial and respiratory infections. The presence of these properties is why we see cinnamon being used as a food preservative since ancient times.
- Antioxidants are chock-full
Rich in antioxidants, especially polyphenols, which combat oxidative stress, it can safeguard cells from damage caused by malignant radicals. You can get creative in the kitchen with cinnamon to load you up with some powerful antioxidants for a healthful boost.
- An Anti-inflammatory Magician
If you feel that you are struggling with pain and inflammation, ingest cinnamon! It contains cinnamaldehyde that helps subside inflammation, providing overall support to health and wellness.
- Fuel digestion
Cinnamaldehyde stimulates the production of digestive enzymes that break down food and absorb nutrients. It also reduces the formation of gas in the digestive system, relieving bloating and discomfort. With its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities, it can effectively address inflammation in the digestive tract, fight off free radicals that contribute to digestive issues, and control microbial growth in the gut, helping in digestion.
Appreciated by generations, cinnamon shows off numerous health benefits. But the recognition wasn’t easily bestowed. It was earned upon exhibiting its ability to gracefully sail through other flavours.
Cinnamon’s fluid pairings with flavours
Cinnamon has marvelled culinary enthusiasts with its versatile partnerships with sweet and savoury dishes. Let’s take a moment to quickly explore its versatility.
- Cinnamon and Vanilla – For the sweet moments
Cinnamon and vanilla is a classic crew that chartered a voyage together to the territory of sweetness. Pastries, rich custards, soft cinnamon rolls, fluffy pancakes, a soothing combination of vanilla and cinnamon milk, and yummy cakes, the list of possibilities is endless. These two have always delivered a nuanced depth to entice taste buds.
- A Savoury Dream
Cinnamon’s warm bursts have found a natural habitat in savoury dishes. It blends smoothly with a myriad of spices. Rice pilaf, rich lamb recipes, delicious chicken curries, hearty stews, and various meat skewers. This savoury combination has appeased everyone, especially, the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern palates.
- Orange and Cinnamon – An Unexpected Tryst
Who would have thought of a fruity flavour to go hand in hand with a spice? Cinnamon and orange surprise us with their contrasting flavours by offering a citrusy glaze to roasted vegetables or meat dishes. Refreshing drinks, muffins, rolls, and more fun dishes can be made with this unexpected duo!
- Cinnamon and Nutmeg: A Well- rounded Duo
French toast, pancakes, curry, cakes – These are some of the dishes that can be produced when these two spices come together. These two have accorded inspiration to the culinary world by creating many interesting recipes from sweet to savoury.
Cinnamon: A Day in the Life in India
What would be India’s yummy brand? Comforting home-cooked meals to feasts with spices! Come on, let’s dive in to see how cinnamon gets transformed in Indian dishes.
From a refreshing shot of cinnamon chai in the morning, hearty chana masala curry for breakfast, filling meals with aromatic dalchini pulao, smoky tandoori chicken, luscious and creamy mango kheer for the summers, and mouthwatering, velvety gajar ka halwa for the winters to an evening cup of hot cinnamon coffee – cinnamon stays in Indian cuisines morning to night at all seasons.
We see that cinnamon can glide through sweet, savoury, bold, and subtle flavours naturally. In that case, how about passing on a simple at-home recipe?
Simple cinnamon coffee recipe
Have a look at the simple cinnamon coffee recipe that can be made at home:
Ground cinnamon powder coffee recipe:
Start by bringing milk to a boil. Once the milk is boiling, add coffee powder to it. Adjust the amount of coffee powder to suit the strength and taste you prefer for your cup. After adding the coffee powder, infuse ground cinnamon powder into the mixture. Again, make sure to sprinkle the right amount that suits your palate to taste the spiciness and whiff the aroma. Add sugar according to your liking and enjoy the homemade cinnamon-infused coffee.
Alternatively, cinnamon coffee can be made with cinnamon sticks as well.
Cinnamon sticks coffee recipe:
Start by bringing the milk to a boil. Once the milk is boiling, add coffee powder to it, adjusting the amount of coffee powder to suit your preference. The next step is to transfer the coffee to a mug. Now, place high-quality cinnamon sticks and place them directly into the hot coffee. This will help to diffuse the cinnamon flavour. The number of sticks to be placed is again based on the strength you would want for your beverage. Steep the cinnamon sticks in the coffee for around 3-5 minutes. Gently stir the sticks to enhance and evenly diffuse the flavour. After achieving the desired flavour, strain the coffee to remove the sticks. Add sugar to sweeten it to your taste and relish the warmth of the spiced coffee.
Cinnamon at your doorstep with Abe Mart
If this reading of the varied dishes that can be shaped with cinnamon and their pairings have you drooling in your mouth, whet your cravings immediately by crafting your favourite cinnamon dishes at home! Still stuck? Because cinnamon is not in your cabinet and your life is too hectic to just step out to buy the spice. Please don’t fret over such frivolous matters. Abe Mart can solve your problems in a jiffy! Abe Mart is an online platform that sells a wide array of homegrown premium products from Kerala. It sources top-quality ground cinnamon powder and cinnamon sticks from the best plantations in the rolling hills of Idukki and delivers them to doorsteps nationwide. Now that you know your one-stop solution, get ready to wear your chef’s coat!
Conclusion
Orbiting through sweet and savoury lands, crossing the frontiers of nations, piquing an interest wherever it journeyed- cinnamon has firmly rooted itself in our lives. Invigorating a sense of warmth with its spicy aroma and flavourful comfort, it has been a cherished spice during the winters. Expanding horizons with its versatility, it has worn several hats from that of a cure, fragrant, essential oil, culinary, and other products. A prized ingredient for aromatherapy, candles, incense, perfumes, and air fresheners – it has secured its spot in the world of fragrance. Equally, it has played such a prominent role in all the realms it has entered either on its own or by partnering seamlessly with everything around it, making cinnamon a treasured sweet wood!
Disclaimer: THIS BLOG/WEBSITE DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE
The information contained in this blog is for educational and awareness purposes only. Under no circumstance should the information provided here be considered a substitute for professional medical help and should not be relied upon to treat or diagnose any medical condition. It is always advised to seek help from a qualified medical professional for your health conditions before relying on the content. Abe Mart does not accept any responsibility for any potential risk to the visitor/ reader.
