REAL Cinnamon!

[Karen]

REAL Cinnamon!

Recently I became aware that I was not using REAL Cinnamon sticks. I was using Cassia, which contains a high amount of Coumarin! So now I pick out the Cassia Sticks from the Parrot mixes and toss them out and add some of the good stuff.
LINK: - Questions about Coumarin in Cinnamon

How do you identify real Cinnamon from Cassia

Cassia is a darker brown than Cinnamon.


Cassia has a hollow tube.


Cinnamon is filled. It looks like a rolled cigar.


Cassia is very thick and hard. Cinnamon is thin and soft.
Cassia has a harsh aroma. Cinnamon has delicate aroma.
Cassia has a flat taste. Cinnamon has a sweet taste.
Cassia contains 5% Coumarin. Cinnamon contains 0.004%.
Cassia is grown in China, Vietnam and Indonesia. Cinnamon is grown in Ceylon (Sri Lanka).
Info from: How to identify Real Cinnamon from Cassia

I purchased REAL Cinnamon sticks from Edible Nature; LINK:Cinnamon Sticks Ceylon (Soft) 3" long

The birds loved it!

They have the best smelling star anise too; LINK: Star Anise, CERTIFIED ORGANIC

[Tabious Mom]

I didn't realize the difference before you posted this thread. Thanks for that. I just placed an order with them.

[WingedVictory]

Thanks Karen I did not know the difference between the two or even there was a product out there that looked like cinnimon.

gary

[Jessalyn Eaton]

Ruby says "Karen is the bestest of eggs!". Had no idea! Guess that is why some is soooo much cheaper!

[Karen]

I should make note; that per se it's all Cinnamon. It's the Ceylon Cinnamon that has the lower percentage of Coumarin. What we find in the Parrot Mixes is the cheaper Cassia Cinnamon which has much higher levels of Coumarin.

This is a quote from the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment;
Ceylon cinnamon only contains low levels of coumarin which are safe from the Institute’s risk assessment perspective. By contrast, cassia cinnamon contains high levels of coumarin and large amounts of this cinnamon should not, therefore, be eaten.

It would be impossible to distinguish between Ceylon cinnamon and Cassia cinnamon in cinnamon powder. I am going to see if I can grind up a few of the sticks to make a powder for baking. Then I would be sure they are getting the good stuff.

[Phyllis]

I've never been a big cinnamon fan. I like how it smells, but I always balk at the taste. I wonder if this is the reason why?