Cinnamon has a love-hate relationship. As one of the world’s oldest spices, it’s used for both aroma and flavor. But what exactly is cinnamon powder? Why does it have such a distinctive smell? Cinnamon powder has many culinary applications.

What does cinnamon actually look like?

You may have only seen cinnamon in desserts and drinks, but you might not know where it comes from. Cinnamon is the bark of the cinnamon tree, which is rolled into long strips and then dried. Cinnamon powder is made by grinding cinnamon sticks into a powder.

The cinnamon tree is an evergreen tree with long, oval leaves and gray-brown bark. Cinnamon is divided into two main varieties: Ceylon cinnamon, grown in places like Sri Lanka, and Cassia cinnamon, grown in places like China.

The main differences between the two are the thickness and hardness of the bark, as well as the amount of aromatic compounds. Ceylon cinnamon has a slightly spicy and sweet flavor, while Cassia cinnamon is more pungent. Taiwan also has its own unique variety, native cinnamon.

Due to their different flavors, Ceylon cinnamon is the most commonly used cinnamon in pastries, while Chinese cinnamon is mostly used in traditional Chinese medicine.

Why does cinnamon have such a distinctive smell?

The aroma of cinnamon comes from cinnamaldehyde, an organic compound found in the bark of the cinnamon tree. This is why the area around the tree carries this scent. The bark, whether in sticks or powder, has a slightly spicy aroma.

How is cinnamon used in cooking?

Adding it to marinate and stew meats to remove the fishy smell

Cinnamon’s spicy aroma pairs well with meat. Recall that five-spice powder is often sprinkled into braised meats; it actually contains cinnamon.

When marinating meat, you can use cinnamon powder along with garlic, minced ginger, soy sauce, and pepper. The spicy flavor helps remove the fishy smell and enhance the flavor. Cinnamon sticks or slices can also be added to stews and soups.

A small amount in meat dishes isn’t overpowering, and I believe even those with a strong cinnamon aversion can enjoy it.

Sprinkling on desserts and drinks enhances the flavor.

Cinnamon powder combined with sugar creates cinnamon sugar dust. The sugar softens the spiciness, making it more palatable. It can be used as a filling or sprinkled on top to enhance the flavor.

Pastry enthusiasts can use cinnamon powder to make cinnamon rolls. Sprinkle cinnamon and sugar on a flattened dough, then roll it up, cut it into pieces, and bake it in the oven. Refer to the recipe below to make your own cinnamon rolls. For another quick cinnamon dessert, simply coat toast in cinnamon sugar dust or make French toast, then dip or sprinkle the toast with cinnamon sugar dust.

When the weather cools down and you’re ready for coffee, cocoa, or milk tea, sprinkle some cinnamon dust on it! You’ll find that cinnamon transforms the flavor of any drink. Mixing cinnamon powder with brown sugar and then sprinkling it on top will soften the flavor. Using a cinnamon stick as a stirrer can also help blend the flavor into a drink.

Now that you’ve learned about the unique qualities of cinnamon and how to use it in your cooking, whether you love it or hate it, you might be willing to try different culinary combinations. Let’s create a cinnamon dish that’s perfect for you.