Cinnamon is a fragrant and versatile spice that can be used to add warmth and depth of flavor to both sweet and savory dishes.
Ground cinnamon powder is convenient to use and provides an even distribution of cinnamon flavor in recipes. When cooking with cinnamon powder, there are some key tips to follow.
What Is Cinnamon Powder?
Cinnamon powder is made by grinding pieces of dried cinnamon bark into a fine powder. It has a sweet and spicy flavor with a warm, woody aroma. Cinnamon powder is more commonly used in cooking compared to cinnamon sticks as it blends more easily into batters and mixes. It's a pantry staple for baking but can also be used to add flavor to curries, stews, marinades and more.
Cinnamon comes from the inner bark of cinnamon trees which are trimmed and then left to dry. The dried bark curls into sticks known as cinnamon quills. These quills can then be ground to a powder. There are a few varieties of cinnamon including:
- Cassia: Also called Chinese or Saigon cinnamon. reddish-brown color with a strong, bittersweet flavor. Most common variety.
- Ceylon: Tan brown color with a delicate, sweet flavor. More expensive than cassia.
- Indonesian: Looks similar to cassia but is less spicy with subtle sweet notes.
For most everyday cooking, cassia or Chinese cinnamon powder works well and provides great cinnamon flavor at an affordable price.
How to Cook with Cinnamon Powder
When baking or adding cinnamon powder to dishes, there are some useful tips to getting the best results:
Add It Near the End
Since cinnamon powder has a subtle and delicate flavor, it's best to add it near the end of cooking. This helps prevent the flavor from dissipating or getting overpowered. For example, when making stews or curries, stir in the cinnamon powder towards the last 5-10 minutes.
Use a Light Hand
A little cinnamon powder goes a long way. Use a light hand when seasoning savory dishes with cinnamon, starting with 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 teaspoon per pound of meat or vegetables. You can always add more but it's harder to fix over-spiced food.
Combine with Other Spices
Cinnamon teams up especially well with spices like cumin, coriander, ginger, nutmeg and cardamom. Combine cinnamon powder with garam masala or curry powder mixes for an aromatic spice blend. Whole spices like cinnamon sticks also infuse nicely into liquids like broths, marinades and poaching liquids.
Key Takeaway: Go easy on the cinnamon to start when adding it to savory dishes, and combine it with complementary spices.
Bloom in Oil or Fat
Blooming cinnamon powder in a fat like oil or butter helps intensify its flavor before adding other ingredients. Quickly heating the cinnamon powder draws out its essential oils and aromatics. Try blooming cinnamon powder in curry recipes or use it to flavor oil for roasting vegetables.
Store Properly
Since cinnamon powder contains essential oils that dissipate over time, it's important to store it properly. Keep cinnamon powder in an airtight container away from light and heat. Only buy small batches and replace every 6 months for the best flavor. Let your nose guide you - if the cinnamon no longer smells strong and spicy, it's lost its potency.
Sweet Cinnamon Recipes
Cinnamon is right at home in all kinds of baked goods and desserts. Its sweet warmth complements fruit and chocolate beautifully. Some top dishes to use cinnamon powder in include:
Cinnamon Rolls
Buttery cinnamon rolls scented with cinnamon sugar are a brunch classic. Cinnamon powder mixed into the dough provides another layer of flavor. A cream cheese icing puts it over the top.
Apple Crisp
Sliced apples baked under an oat crumb topping with brown sugar, butter and cinnamon is pure comfort food. The cinnamon powder accentuates the natural sweetness of the fruit.
Snickerdoodles
These sugar cookies get rolled in cinnamon sugar before baking, giving them their signature crackly top and warm cinnamon flavor throughout. They make the perfect holiday treat.
Banana Bread
Ripe bananas and fragrant cinnamon are perfect partners in this homey quick bread. The cinnamon powder gives the bread a comforting flavor and aroma that says “home”.
Hot Drinks
Ground cinnamon shines in winter beverages like hot apple cider, mulled wine, spiced hot chocolate and chai tea lattes. It adds aroma and pairs perfectly with the other warm spices.
Key Takeaway: Cinnamon powder is ideal for flavoring all kinds of baked goods, fruit desserts, and warm winter drinks for its sweet and spicy notes.
Savory Cinnamon Recipes
While we're used to enjoying it with sweet foods, cinnamon works magic in savory dishes too. Its spicy kick and warmth complement meat, veggies and beans splendidly. Cinnamon powder can flavor:
Curries
Indian and Thai curries use cinnamon to add depth and fragrance. It pairs well with the complex spice blends and ingredients like chicken, beans and potatoes. Try it in dishes like chicken tikka masala or vegetable korma.
Tagines
Moroccan tagines are seasoned with spices like cinnamon, cumin and ginger. Cinnamon bolsters the flavor of chicken or lamb tagines along with ingredients like apricots, chickpeas and olives.
Chili
A touch of cinnamon brings warmth and extra flavor to beef or turkey chili. Add it along with the other chili powder and spices. The subtle spiciness plays off the heat nicely.
Roast Vegetables
Roasted veggies like carrots, sweet potatoes, winter squash and onions become extra tasty with a sprinkle of cinnamon. It enhances their natural sweetness beautifully.
Marinades and Rubs
Blend cinnamon powder into wet marinades or dry rubs for meat like pork, chicken, lamb and beef. It gives a wonderful aroma and balanced sweet-savory flavor.
Key Takeaway: Savory recipes like curries, tagines, chili and marinated meats benefit from cinnamon powder's warm, subtly spicy flavor.
Health Benefits of Cinnamon
Along with adding fabulous flavor to foods, cinnamon powder packs some health perks too. Some of its benefits include:
- Antioxidants: Contains polyphenols and phenolic compounds that combat cell damage by neutralizing free radicals.
- Anti-Inflammatory: Linked to lower inflammation markers which can reduce risk of chronic diseases.
- Blood Sugar Control: Shows potential to improve insulin sensitivity and regulate blood sugar levels especially for people with diabetes.
- Anti-Microbial: Demonstrates antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties which can fight infections. Also acts as a natural food preservative.
- Brain Function: May boost cognitive function and help prevent neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.
So sprinkling some cinnamon powder on your oatmeal or fruit not only tastes great but boosts the overall nutritional profile. Moderation is key however, as eating more than the recommended serving may cause side effects like mouth sores or gastrointestinal distress in some people.
FAQs
Is there a difference between cinnamon and cassia?
Yes. Cinnamon technically refers to Ceylon cinnamon which has a tan thin bark and slightly sweet flavor. Cassia has a thicker dark brown bark with a stronger, more biting flavor and is cheaper. Most ground "cinnamon" sold is actually cassia but they can be used interchangeably.
What's the best way to substitute cinnamon sticks for ground cinnamon?
Use about 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon for every one 4-5 inch cinnamon stick. Since ground cinnamon is more potent, start with 3/4 teaspoon and add more to taste.
What foods pair well with cinnamon?
Cinnamon complements both sweet and savory foods. It pairs nicely with ingredients like chocolate, sugar, caramel, apples, pears, sweet potatoes, winter squash, lamb, chicken, rice, oats and dairy.
How should cinnamon powder be stored?
To retain its essential oils and flavor, cinnamon powder should be kept in an airtight glass jar away from light and heat. Buy small batches and replace every 4-6 months for optimum freshness and aroma.
Conclusion
Cinnamon powder is one of the most versatile pantry staples for both baking and cooking.
With its intoxicating aroma and balanced sweet-spicy flavor, cinnamon can add depth and warmth to an array of dishes ranging from cinnamon buns to curries to marinated roasts.