There has been a lot of debate on the two cinnamon varieties, cinnamon and cassia, which has even led to terming one or the other as real and fake cinnamon! Which variety of cinnamon is occupying your spice cabinet? And it was only recently that we came across the difference between the two cinnamon varieties.
If we compare cinnamon vs. cassia, which is better? In fact, both cinnamon and cassia are from the same plant family. So how are they different? Cinnamon also known as “true cinnamon” is the soft, light flavored inner bark as compared to the stronger and more pungent cassia. Though cassia is marketed as cinnamon globally, it is far inferior when it comes to flavor, and not to forget, cinnamon would cost you ten times more than cassia.
Meghalaya, a state in the Northeast of India, with its beautiful hilly terrain, is home to naturally grown cinnamon, along with a variety of unique herbs and spices. Zizira operates from the city of Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya, and we source cinnamon directly from the farmers who cultivate them using traditional farming methods.
Learn more about the cinnamon of Meghalaya.
A Healthy Spice Regardless of the Variety
You can differentiate between the two when it comes to taste and texture but the health benefits of both the varieties are close. The main focus here would be the coumarin (a natural flavoring compound) content of the two.
Cinnamon is said to have lower coumarin than cassia. However, we found a common factor in a study at the Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center, which shows both the varieties to be helpful in controlling blood glucose levels.
According to the research, both the cinnamon varieties have compounds such as chromium and polyphenols that aids in a better flow of insulin. The study also showed that the glucose, Insulin and cholesterol levels are improved in patients with Type 2 diabetes as a result of chromium intake.
Cinnamon vs Cassia
As mentioned earlier, cassia has a stronger and more intense flavor than Ceylon cinnamon. This is due to a higher concentration of cinnamaldehyde (a natural compound that gives cinnamon its flavor), up to 5-6%. Cinnamon and cassia, have certain visual markers such as the bark texture which makes it easier to differentiate between the two.
Infographic – Cinnamon Vs Cassia
Here is an infographic that shows the difference between the two.
Want to know more about Cinnamon from Meghalaya? Interested in buying naturally grown cinnamon? Contact us.
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