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Cinnamon

Cinnamon from Kerala & Srilanka

Kerala and Sri Lankan cinnamon is known worldwide for its premium quality and unique flavour, which is commonly considered to be one of the world's best varieties. Cinnamon is grown in both these places, but there are a few differences between the two, specifically in the process of cultivation, flavour, and types. Both Kerala and Sri Lanka have high-quality cinnamon that is enjoyed globally for its sweet, delicate flavour and medicinal value. Though Sri Lankan cinnamon is considered the gold standard for Ceylon cinnamon, Kerala's cinnamon is not far behind in terms of taste and quality, with both places providing distinct and fragrant experiences for spice lovers, chefs, and health enthusiasts alike. In cooking, baking, or traditional medicine, cinnamon from these places remains one of the world's most valuable spices.

Kerala (Indian) cinnamon

Kerala, on the southwestern coast of India, is famous for its rich agricultural diversity and pleasant climate, which makes it a perfect place to grow spices, such as cinnamon. Kerala's cinnamon is Cinnamomum verum (also referred to as true cinnamon or Ceylon cinnamon), which is the same variety produced in Sri Lanka.

Key Features of Kerala Cinnamon:

  • Flavour Profile: Kerala cinnamon possesses a mild and sweet taste as opposed to other forms of cinnamon. It has a delicate sweetness with a faint woody and citrusy scent, presenting a sophisticated flavour.
  • Processing and Harvesting: In Kerala, cinnamon grows mainly in the highlands, particularly in regions such as Wayanad, Idukki, and Kottayam, where the rich soil and humid tropical climate support proper growth. Cinnamon bark is harvested by peeling off the outer cover of the stems of the tree, and the inner bark is peeled, dried, and rolled into sticks. It is usually hand-processed to ensure high quality.
  • Health Benefits: Kerala cinnamon possesses numerous health benefits, including antioxidant activity, anti-inflammatory properties, and blood sugar control. It is also used in Ayurvedic medicine for its therapeutic properties, like curing digestive disorders, cold, and respiratory issues.
  • Quality: Kerala cinnamon is light brown in color, thin, and of a soft texture. It is Ceylon cinnamon (or true cinnamon) and less pungent compared to other cinnamon varieties, making it more appropriate for sweet recipes and beverages.

Cinnamon from Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka, commonly known as the "Home of Cinnamon", is famous for cultivating the world's best cinnamon, particularly from the Cinnamomum verum type. The spice is so ingrained in Sri Lanka's heritage and economy that it is frequently referred to as Ceylon cinnamon, named after the colonial name of the island, Ceylon.

Features of Sri Lankan Cinnamon:

  • Flavour Profile: Sri Lankan cinnamon has a subtle and sweet taste, with a mild pungency and a hint of citrusy undertones. It has a sweet, warm, aromatic flavour that is sweet, warm, and faintly woody. Sri Lankan cinnamon is considered to be of the highest culinary appreciation for its delicate flavour.
  • Harvesting and Processing: Sri Lankan cinnamon is grown mainly in the southwestern and central parts of Sri Lanka, that is, in Matara, Galle, and Kandy. The cinnamon is processed from the inner bark of the cinnamon tree. The outer bark is stripped off, and the inner bark is peeled off meticulously in strips, which dry into rolls naturally, curling up into cinnamon sticks. The cinnamon sticks are usually thin and delicate, with layers that easily break.
  • Health Benefits: Sri Lankan Ceylon cinnamon is particularly noted for having antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It is prescribed in traditional medicine to assist digestion, reduce cholesterol, control blood sugar, and maintain heart health. Ceylon cinnamon contains lower concentrations of coumarin, which is a compound that could cause harm when it occurs in some other types of cinnamon, and therefore is considered a healthier one to consume every day.
  • Quality: Sri Lankan cinnamon is the highest quality of cinnamon to be found. It is frequently soft, with thin bark that is light brown to tan in color. The quality of Sri Lankan cinnamon is in great demand in both the culinary and medicinal markets because it has a milder taste than the more pungent cassia cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia), which is frequently sold in other countries.

Key Differences between Kerala and Sri Lankan Cinnamon

Although both Kerala and Sri Lanka cultivate Cinnamomum verum, there are some differences between the two, although they possess numerous similar attributes:

  • Flavour: Both varieties possess a sweet, mild flavour, but Sri Lankan cinnamon is sometimes said to have a slightly richer and more complex flavour than Kerala cinnamon, which is slightly milder.
  • Texture: Sri Lankan cinnamon is known for its softness and thin bark, which can be easily broken into smaller pieces. Kerala cinnamon is also thin, but it tends to be a bit more firm compared to the delicate Sri Lankan version.
  • Production Volume: Sri Lanka is generally the leading exporter of Ceylon cinnamon to the global market, while Kerala cultivates good-quality cinnamon as well as other Indian states, such as Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Kerala's cinnamon is highly utilized locally, but it has been becoming increasingly popular worldwide.
  • Aroma: Although both varieties of cinnamon have a beautiful aroma, Sri Lankan cinnamon is usually found to possess a sweeter, more intense aroma with a slight citrus undertone.