Cinnamon is a very common and sweet-smelling spice that can be acquired from the inner bark of several trees that belong to the genus Cinnamon. It is a very fragrant spice that can be an additive that is very flavourful. It is not only used in the main cuisine of different cultures but is also added for breakfast cereals and snack food items. It has extensive usage.
The Essence Of Cinnamon
The spice derives its essence from its essential oil that is loaded with a component called cinnamaldehyde and other inherent elements called eugenol. This gives the spice its characteristic smell, taste and flavour.
The Cultivation Of Cinnamon
Surprisingly the cinnamon tree is an evergreen tree. The main parts of the plant that are used as a spice are its barks and leaves. It takes two years to get cinnamon from the tree. It is then coppiced. Coppicing means shaving off the stems right at the ground level.
Then the very next year, plenty of shoots grow out from the place that it was shaved off the previous year. But it has another reason for it being an expensive spice. It is prone to pest attacks from plenty of different types of pests. These are the two reasons why the bark becomes so expensive. Yet there is no scarcity of the spice because of a number of genuine Cinnamon Stick Exporter in Gandhinagar.
To get the cinnamon, it must be immediately processed when the bark is still in a wet condition. The processing is done by scraping the outer bark. It is then beaten evenly with the help of a hammer.
This beating makes the inner bark loose. It is taken off in long rolls. But only 0.5mm of the inner bark is used. The rest is discarded as waste. The cinnamon sticks, when dry curl up into rolls called quills. The entire process of drying completes in just about 4–6 hours given optimum conditions.
The optimum conditions involve a well ventilated and warm environment. And once they are dry, they are cut into 5–10cm strips that are sold in the markets. And if the environment is not favourable for the drying of the bark, then it gets infested with pests. Treatment then will be required to make it pest-free. The cost then goes on increasing of the spice in the market.
The Most Commonly Sold Species
The most commonly sold species are:
• Cinnamomum cassia (the Chinese variety)
• C. burmannii (Indonesian variety)
• C. loureiroi (Vietnamese variety)
• C. verum ( Sri Lankan variety)
• C. citriodorum (Indian variety)
Nutritional Value
Cinnamon has 11% water, 81% carbohydrates, 4% protein and 1% fat. It is loaded with calcium, iron and Vitamin K.
The Health Benefits Of Cinnamon Quills
There are many health benefits of cinnamon, of which we will discuss a bit of a few here:
1. Loaded With Anti-Viral, Anti-Bacterial And Anti-Fungal Properties
It is a very soothing agent that has plenty of medicinal value. The cinnamaldehyde derived from its essential oil has anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties that are harmful to health. So consuming it naturally or as a medicinal agent helps in fighting against those elements.
2. Supports Gut Health
It has prebiotic properties that aid in restoring the bacterial balance in the gut. It also helps in digestion and eliminating digestive disorders.
3. Helps In Lowering Blood Pressure
It helps in reducing blood pressure on a short term basis. But more research work is waiting on this.
4. Reduces Diabetes And The Risk Of Type II Diabetes
Cinnamon is known to regulate the sugar level in human beings. It has the ability to control the amount of glucose that enters into the bloodstream. It can also imitate insulin, the blood sugar managing hormone.
5. It Helps The Aging Brain
As the brain cells age, many deteriorating conditions of the brain cells set in. Thereby, it gives rise to a good many number of diseases like Alzheimer’s. Two compounds in cinnamon prevent the build-up of proteins in the brain cells, thereby minimizing the chances of this disease.
Conclusion
Cinnamon generally has no side effects other than some allergic reactions and indigestion in some people. But this does not happen to everyone. And so, it is generally considered safe for consumption in culinary purposes. But when you want cinnamon that is very good make sure to buy the Ceylon variety that you can find with the best Cinnamon Stick Exporters Gandhinagar.
