How Cinnamon Is Grown

Cinnamon is native to Sri Lanka, and it was originally the only place where it was grown. It is actually the bark of the laurel tree, and there are a few species of trees that produce cinnamon. The C. Zeylanicum is the “original” cinnamon tree of antiquity, but today cinnamon is grown more commonly from the C. Cassia tree. Today, cinnamon is still grown in Sri Lanka, but is also cultivated in India, Sumatra, Java, Brazil, Vietnam, The West Indies, Egypt, Zanzibar, and Madagascar.

Growing cinnamon is not an easy task. The tree must be grown for two years after which it is cut down. The next year, little shoots appear and these shoots are stripped of their thin inner bark. The bark is dried and the outcome is cinnamon! You might have wondered why cinnamon sticks are curled up the way they are - this is the natural way that the bark dries after being stripped from the tree.

Many plantations today keep the trees to a small bush size. However, the Laurel tree can grow up to 65 feet. The stems are cut back on a continuous basis so new stems will grow and more bark can be cut. When cut, the inner lining and outer bark are scraped off and the rest is left to dry. It eventually curls into what is called quills, and in true cinnamon, these quills are rolled together for the final product.

If you are picky about your spices, you might want to consider the cinnamon you buy carefully as the true cinnamon is cultivated from the Cinnamomum zeylanicum tree and thought to be superior. Most of the cinnamon found in the grocery store today probably was grown from the Cinnamomum cassia tree. While it’s rather difficult to tell the difference in the ground version of the spice, the strips or quills of the “true” cinnamon will be layered while the Cassia cinnamon is one thick piece. The true cinnamon is also lighter in color with a sweeter flavor.

Cinnamon quills can virtually be stored forever. Keep in mind that the Cassia cinnamon is very difficult to grind into powder while the zeylanicum is quite easy to grind up. Unfortunately, if you choose to store the cinnamon already ground up, it will lose its flavor over time.

Many people have considered growing cinnamon in their own gardens. However you need to have the right climate for such an undertaking. The Laurel a tropical evergreen tree. It needs a low altitude and a moist, hot, tropical climate in order to thrive.

Next Page: Health Benefits of Cinnamon

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