CINNAMON STICK USES

MEDIA GALLERY

Cinnamon sticks can be used in tea, curries, stews, soups, rice, mulled wine, desserts or distilled into extract. Cinnamon sticks add great flavor, improves food palatability and gives a fabulous aroma to baked goods,

Cassia Cinnamon sticks are used in recipes which call for an overt Cinnamon taste, Because Cassia Cinnamon sticks tend to be spicy with a strong aroma it is ideal for coffee. The sticks are hard and can often be used as a stir stick too. Mild soft Ceylon Cinnamon sticks are not ideal for this. Cassia Cinnamon is more often ground into powder for use in baked foods or to sprinkle on food.

Ceylon Cinnamon because it is mild is used in far more complex recipes where Cinnamon does not take stage. It has more range and mixes well with many ingredients to create complex multi layered flavors. It can be used whole or broken into small pieces so the aroma and flavor comes out. In Sri Lanka a small piece of cinnamon is used in virtually every curry recipe. It is the best for making Cinnamon stick tea. In desserts like Crème Brûlée it brings out a refined sophistication and heady aroma.

While Cinnamon powder is more convenient, using whole Cinnamon sticks tends to give a fresher taste. Cinnamon sticks have higher levels of the oils that make Cinnamon so compelling. And sometimes, like in rice or cinnamon stick tea you just can't use powder. It would be messy. Here are some neat ways to use Cinnamon sticks that you may not have thought of.

HOW TO USE CINNAMON STICKS

1. Make Cinnamon Stick Tea - While you can add a stick of Cinnamon to your coffee or tea, to extract the full benefit of Cinnamon you need to slow boil it. Discover how here.
   
   
2. Add to Curries, Soups and stews - A stick of Cinnamon in Stews, Soups or Asian curries adds a warmth and depth of flavor, especially a beef or chicken curry. Click here for a wonderful array of light Sri Lankan curry recipes, stews and soups.
   
   
3. Add a whole stick to rice - Add a cinnamon stick to rice as you boil the rice. It is best to use Ceylon Cinnamon sticks, which will give it a wonderful fragrant aroma. Add half teaspoon of Turmeric into the rice too. That will make the rice yellow and very appetizing.
   
   
4. Make Cinnamon essence for baking - Immerse 2 Cinnamon sticks in 3 ounces of light rum, keep it in a cool dark place for two weeks, shaking it everyday. You can just add this essence to flavor any baking or cooking recipes that calls for Cinnamon essence. Click here for cinnamon extract recipe.
   
   
5. Cinnamon Syrup - This you got to try, especially with Ceylon Cinnamon. The taste and the aroma is fabulous. Great for making cocktails, pour a little on Vanilla Icre cream, sprinkle on fruit salads and drizzle on pancakes. Check out the recipe here.
   
   
6. Foot Wash - Got a bad case of Athletes foot? Break 2-3 three Cinnamon sticks and put it into some warm to hot water and immerse your feet in it for 20 minutes or so. Cinnamon has powerful anti fungal properties that should get rid of your foot fungus.
   
   
7. Flavored Water - Add one Cinnamon stick to a pot of water on medium heat and bring it to a slow boil, add a slice of orange and take it to work. Its a great refreshing drink. Try this Cinnamon lime recipe for a different twist.
   
   
8. Mulled Wine - A stick of Cinnamon, especially Ceylon Cinnamon is an absolute must for making the perfect mulled wine. This tasty hot drink is an absolutely fantastic Christmas tradition. Click here for our mulled wine recipe with video instructions.