Types of Cinnamon, which one is the best?

Carlos Sánchez 5 min. of reading Plants Leave a comment

Cinnamon is a delicious, all-natural spice that, besides being an essential ingredient in baking (and increasingly in other areas of cooking), comes with amazing health benefits! Talking about cinnamon “plain and simple” can be misleading, since there are many varieties out there. The goal of this post is to help you tell them apart because what seems like harmless cinnamon might not be so if you consume certain types excessively.

How many types of cinnamon are there?

Among the many types of cinnamon, only four are used commercially:

Cassia cinnamon: the most affordable and probably the most consumed. Using it in high doses is not recommended, as it could cause liver damage
Ceylon cinnamon: with a sweet, mild, and fragrant flavor, nutritionists recommend it for being higher quality and safe for the body.
Korintje cinnamon: a variety quite similar to Cassia. It’s also known as Indonesian cinnamon or Burmanii cinnamon
Saigon or Vietnamese cinnamon: considered to have the best taste and aroma, although its high coumarin levels can be harmful to health. It comes from the tree called Cinnamomum Loureiro

Differences between Cassia cinnamon and Ceylon cinnamon

We’ve already mentioned that cinnamon has a ton of properties and health benefits, making it an unmatched dietary supplement. But like with many substances, you should pay attention to what you’re consuming, especially if you’re a regular user.

Cassia cinnamon, could it be harmful?

Also known as “fake cinnamon”, this is the one you’ll find in most supermarkets and stores. While it shouldn’t be harmful at first, repeated consumption could eventually take a toll on your health.

Because it’s cheap to acquire and easy to process, its worldwide commercialization is a fact. Most of it is produced in Vietnam, Indonesia, China, and Burma.

In the US, there’s no requirement to differentiate between the two products, so you might find it labeled simply as “Cinnamon,” when it’s probably Cassia.

You know the saying “you get what you pay for”? Well, that can happen with Cassia cinnamon. It’s easy to spot by its look, usually coming as two or more rolls stuck together, and it feels quite hard to the touch. That’s why it’s tough to break. Also, its brown color is a bit darker than Ceylon’s.

What is coumarin and why is it harmful to health?

The risks linked to Cassia come from its coumarin content, a substance used as a blood thinner and found in anti-hemorrhagic medicines once processed. In its natural state, it doesn’t have these qualities but is thought to be potentially harmful to health.

Notably, coumarin levels in Cassia can reach up to 8%, which doesn’t bode well for health. Constant intake could lead to liver damage and increase the risk of developing tumors. Also, its blood-thinning properties might affect wound healing (to varying degrees).

Currently, European Union health authorities have warned about its consumption, considering it potentially dangerous. This comes from research results conducted in various European countries. Its use is not recommended unless in minimal doses (below 6 mg daily). At this amount, coumarin might not be harmful to health.

Find the different cinnamon varieties in our online store.

Ceylon cinnamon

On the other hand, Ceylon cinnamon has very low coumarin levels and its intake is recommended. It comes from the so-called “cinnamon tree” or “Cinnamomun verum”, which translates to “true cinnamon.” Its main producers are Sri Lanka and India, from where it’s distributed worldwide.

It differs from Cassia by having a lighter brown color and crumbling on contact, being quite soft with a less intense smell.

Find out why Ceylon is better for your health

Promises made, promises kept. So, let’s answer which cinnamon type is best for health — none other than Ceylon.

Ceylon cinnamon is a variety with many proven properties for health care.

Check out its main benefits!

Regulates blood sugar levels and increases the body’s insulin tolerance
Reduces susceptibility to diseases caused by cholesterol
Helps eliminate fungi in different parts of the body
Can reduce inflammation in any internal organ or injury
Provides antioxidant benefits, so it might help improve symptoms of certain neurodegenerative diseases

Are you among the many people who suffer from low blood sugar? In that case, Ceylon cinnamon could be your great ally to ease nausea and other symptoms related to this condition.

On another note, thanks to its antioxidant nature, it helps with skin hydration, preventing the marks time leaves on it. At the same time, it helps relieve arthritis pain.

Regarding price, as expected, it’s higher than Cassia’s, due to the characteristics of the production area and its health benefits. When you buy it, keep an eye on its color, since that will largely determine which cinnamon type you’re getting, especially if it’s in powder form.

So, why is Cassia cinnamon sold?

Because of its low price, coming from the Chinese giant who exports it at very low cost by shipping astronomical quantities.

Still, it’s up to you to look out for your health and safety when buying cinnamon. Or are you going to let the profitable Cassia business end up affecting you negatively, at the expense of the beneficial Ceylon?

Not much more to add about consuming different types of cinnamon. Here’s a recommendation: enjoy this delicious dietary supplement!