Cinnamon has been used all around the world since ancient times for both its warm spiced flavour, and its medicinal qualities.
Medicinal uses
Is a natural food preservative - anti fungal and antimicrobial properties
Stomach upset – flatulence, diarrhoea, cramps, & nausea
May reduce blood sugar levels
May reduce blood triglycerides and cholesterol
Avoid excessive consumption if pregnant, you have a cinnamon allergy or with ulcers of the gastrointestinal tract.
When can you use it in the kitchen?
Found on the bark of trees from the Cinnamomum species. The flavour is sweet, warm and woody.
In the kitchen cinnamon is a very versatile spice, it works well in both sweet and savoury dishes. Cinnamon can be purchased as quills or powdered, generally the ground cinnamon works better with sweet foods, and the quills with savoury but this rule is not set in stone.
Beverages
Chia
Warm milk and cinnamon
Hot chocolate with cinnamon
Golden latte
Iced tea
Smoothies and juices
Breakfast
Can be sprinkled over most cereal based breakfasts (porridge, granola, chia pudding, bircher muesli,)
Added to the egg mixture for French toast
Sprinkled onto pancakes
Breakfast muffins
Fruit tost
Savoury uses
Curries
Stews and braises
Bolognese
Sweets
Donuts
Custard
Puddings and cakes
Muffins and biscuits