For hundreds of years, cinnamon has had a variety of uses. This essential spice has historically been used for cooking, religious rituals, and even embalming bodies.
Are you aware of all the different ways you can cook with cinnamon today? You may not be offering cinnamon sticks up to any Gods, but you can certainly make some delicious meals for your friends and family.
Keep reading, and we’ll provide you with a quick and easy guide to cooking with cinnamon.
Types of Cinnamon
There are two types of cinnamon that you’re likely to see in stores. The most common type is called cinnamon cassia. If you buy cinnamon at the grocery store, it’s most likely cinnamon cassia.
There is another type of cinnamon that may be superior, however; Ceylon cinnamon. It shouldn’t be too difficult for you to find Ceylon cinnamon, but you might have to look a little harder.
Ceylon cinnamon has a delicate, subtle flavor and a lighter color than cinnamon cassia. It balances perfectly with other spices, particularly in savory recipes.
Plus, cooking with Ceylon Cinnamon powder may help you fight inflammation, diabetes, high blood pressure, and other health issues.
Cooking With Cinnamon Powder
Cinnamon powder is often the easiest type of cinnamon to work with. You can easily incorporate cinnamon powder into a spice rub or a baked recipe.
If you’re making a classic apple pie or tart, for example, you’ll want to use cinnamon powder. Powder evenly coats your ingredients, which also makes it perfect for sauteing vegetables or making a dry rub for meat.
Cooking meat with cinnamon powder is easier than you might think. The sweet yet spicy flavor of cinnamon pairs perfectly with pork or brisket.
Cinnamon powder also pairs well with earthy, sweet vegetables such as sweet potatoes or butternut squash. Sprinkle some cinnamon on your veggies before you saute or roast them.
Cooking With Cinnamon Sticks
Cinnamon sticks are perfect for recipes that require a more subtle cinnamon flavor. They are also the ideal choice for liquid-based recipes.
Cinnamon sticks are essential to many sweet drinks such as horchata or Mexican hot chocolate. You don’t want to use powdered cinnamon in these recipes because it will give your beverage an unpleasant texture.
The same rule applies to soups and broths. Simply simmer cinnamon sticks in your broth or beverage while you heat it, and they will impart all the cinnamon flavor you need.
Cooking With Cinnamon Is as Easy as Pie
Once you figure out what your favorite flavor combinations are, cooking with cinnamon is as easy as, well, pie! All it takes is a little experimentation to find your favorite recipes.
Once you unlock all its uses, both sweet and savory, you might just find that cinnamon is the spice of life!
For more cooking tips, feel free to check out some more of our blog posts.
