Varieties of Cinnamon

There are two types of cinnamon commonly available: Ceylon cinnamon, also known as Cinnamomum

verum, and Cassia cinnamon, or Cinnamomum cassia. Ceylon cinnamon is harvested from the bark of

evergreen trees native to Sri Lanka. Cassia cinnamon typically comes from Indonesia, China and other

countries. It has a strong, rich, slightly bitter flavor and tends to be quite inexpensive. Ceylon cinnamon

also called true cinnamon has lighter and sweeter flavor and more expensive.

Ceylon cinnamon is lighter in color than Cassia cinnamon. Also, Ceylon cinnamon is thin and available in

several thin, soft layers of bark rolled together. Cassia cinnamon sticks are very thick and usually

available in one layer of bark.