Cinnamon

2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29

Cinnamon represents the brown bark of the cinnamon tree, which is dried, rolled up and takes the form known as a cinnamon stick. Cinnamon can be found in the form of cinnamon sticks or powder.

There are about one hundred varieties of Cinnamonum verum (the scientific name for cinnamon), but Cinnamonum zeylanicum (Ceylon cinnamon) and Cinnamomun aromaticum (Chinese cinnamon) are the leading most consumed varieties. Ceylon cinnamon is also known as "real cinnamon", while Chinese - as "cassia". Although both species have relatively similar characteristics and have a fragrant, sweet and warm taste, the aroma of Ceylon cinnamon is more refined and strong.

Cinnamon is one of the oldest known spices. It is mentioned in the Bible and was used in ancient Egypt not only as a drink, for fragrance and in medicine, but also as an embalming agent. It is considered even more valuable than gold. Around this time, cinnamon became popular in China. Later, cinnamon became one of the most popular spices in medieval Europe. Due to its demand, cinnamon is one of the first regularly traded goods between the Middle East and Europe.

Ceylon cinnamon is produced in Sri Lanka, India, Madagascar, Brazil and the Caribbean, while cassia is produced mainly in China, Vietnam and Indonesia.

Composition of cinnamon

Cinnamon contains a large amount of essential oils, cinnamon aldehyde, resin, starch, eugenol and tannins. Cinnamon is an excellent source of manganese and a very good source of dietary fiber, calcium and iron. Two teaspoons of cinnamon contain 11.84 calories and 0.16 grams of fat.

Selection and storage of cinnamon

You can buy cinnamon in the form of cinnamon sticks or in powder form. Cinnamon sticks can be stored longer than cinnamon powder, but it is much more flavored. The quality of cinnamon is indicated by its smell, which should be sweet, strong and clean. Cinnamon must be stored in a tightly closed glass container in a cool, dark and dry place. Cinnamon powder lasts about six months, cinnamon sticks stay fresh for more than a year. A good option to increase the shelf life of cinnamon is to store it in the refrigerator.

Culinary use of cinnamon

Cinnamon has a number of culinary applications - it is used in many egg cakes, milk cakes, honey cakes, almond cakes, gingerbread, soft biscuits, butter biscuits, tea biscuits, white sweets, milk and chocolate drinks. It is used as an ingredient in fruit drinks, vegan smoothies, slimming drinks, mulled wine, honey and herbal tea. One of the most famous applications of cinnamon is to the favorite of many of us milk with rice. But it is also used in creams with eggs, milk creams, homemade ice cream. Cinnamon is one of the healthy substitutes for sugar, so if you want to live healthier, start seasoning your cup coffee with a spoon of cinnamon.

Cinnamon sticks are an exquisite accessory with which you can serve exquisite coffee to your guests. A cinnamon stick placed in the sugar bowl gives a very pleasant aroma to both white and brown sugar. Arrange the festive Christmas table with cinnamon sticks - in addition to aroma, they will give a very cozy look.

Benefits of cinnamon

The unique healing properties of cinnamon come from three main types of essential oils contained in its bark. These oils contain active ingredients called cinnamaldehyde, cinnamyl acetate, cinnamyl and alcohol, as well as a wide range of other volatile substances. In general, the health benefits of cinnamon are:

- Anticoagulant action. Cinemaldehyde has been well studied for its effect on blood platelets. It helps prevent unwanted clotting of blood platelets.

The ability of cinnamon to reduce the release of arachidonic acid from cell membranes puts it in the category of anti-inflammatory foods.

- Antimicrobial action. Cinnamon has the ability to help stop the growth of both bacteria and fungi, including the often problematic yeast Candida.

- Blood sugar control. Seasoning a highly carbohydrate food with cinnamon can help lower blood sugar. Cinnamon slows the rate at which the stomach empties after a meal, leading to a lower rise in blood sugar after a meal. For this reason, cinnamon is a very valuable spice in the fight against type 2 diabetes.

- Cinnamon smell increases brain activity;

- The content of calcium and fiber in cinnamon improves the health of the colon and provides protection against heart disease;

- Cinnamon is a traditional means of warming.

In addition to the active ingredients in essential oils and nutrients, cinnamon is also known in medicine and especially in Chinese medicine with its warming and warming properties. For this reason, cinnamon is used as an aid in colds or flu and helps a lot to warm up, especially when mixed with tea.

For women who lose a lot of blood during menstruation, cinnamon is very useful because it stops heavy bleeding.

Cinnamon is said to prevent cancer if consumed daily in a mixture of water and honey.

Cinnamon can be used by people with diabetes to lower blood sugar. However, it is desirable to do this under the supervision of a doctor or a specialist in proper nutrition.

As cinnamon increases progesterone and testosterone levels, respectively, she cinnamon can be used as a cure for infertility.

Studies show that daily consumption of cinnamon will reduce the chances of developing neurological diseases such as Parkinson's or Alzheimer's.

Cinnamon will help the brain to function properly.

It can also be used to improve breathing, as it has an antibacterial role.

Beauty with cinnamon

1. Cinnamon will get rid of you from acne, pimples and rosacea because it dries the affected areas and helps to regenerate them. Make a paste of honey and cinnamon and apply on the affected areas and leave to dry overnight, repeat the process until you clear the skin problems.

2. If you have dry skin, then you can use cinnamon for exfoliation. You can combine cinnamon with sea salt, olive oil or almond oil.

3. Cinnamon, through its antibacterial role, will help you regain beautiful skin color.

4. Through its contribution to tissue revitalization, cinnamon will help you get rid of the first wrinkles or fine lines of expression. Apply a mixture of honey, cinnamon and oil on the affected areas. This way you can also get rid of eczema.

5. Cinnamon has antibacterial properties, so it prevents infections and helps you get rid of scars and blemishes on the skin.

6. Cinnamon will clean scalp will help exfoliate and get rid of dandruff, which also affects the roots of your hair.

7. A natural way to lighten hair is to use a cinnamon mixture when washing your head. This way, your mane will lighten without using a dye that will make your hair brittle.

8. Cinnamon is used from ancient times to strengthen the hair and restore its elasticity. You can make a hair mask with cinnamon. You need an egg, olive oil, a teaspoon of honey and a teaspoon of cinnamon powder. Apply and leave on, then you can wash with regular shampoo.

Harm from cinnamon

Cinnamon is not an allergenic food and is not known to contain measurable amounts of goitrogens, oxylates and purines. However, in some cases it can cause an allergic reaction, and in some people there is an increase in appetite, which is a prerequisite for the accumulation of extra pounds. Pregnant women should be careful with the consumption of cinnamon, because in high doses the spice becomes a uterine stimulant.

Weight loss with cinnamon

Losing weight with cinnamon is perhaps one of the most successful and at the same time healthy tactics for losing weight. Nutritionists recommend the intake of cinnamon to be precise, which means - in the morning on an empty stomach and at night before bed to drink a cup of cinnamon tea. The second very important rule is not to eat for at least an hour after drinking cinnamon. Make cinnamon tea by mixing half a teaspoon of cinnamon and a teaspoon of honey, then brew them with a glass of hot water.