10 Best Cinnamons of 2024
Cinnamon, one of the world's oldest spices, is cherished not only for its compelling aroma and flavor but also for its health benefits. Harvested from the inner bark of trees in the Cinnamomum genus, this spice varies significantly in type, each with distinct characteristics suited to different culinary applications.
To help spice enthusiasts and culinary aficionados alike find the best cinnamon for their cooking and health needs, we've carefully reviewed and selected the top ten cinnamon products available from trusted retailers like Amazon. Our list includes a variety of cinnamon types, ensuring there’s a perfect match for every flavor profile and culinary application, whether you’re baking a batch of cinnamon rolls or crafting a savory Indian curry.
Quick List - Top Cinnamons
Fruidles
Whole Cinnamon Sticks Suitable for a Variety of Dishes
Han-Dee Pak, Inc.
Earthy Korintje Cinnamon for Various Culinary Uses
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Table of Contents
- Understanding Cinnamon: Varieties, Benefits, and Uses
- 10 Best Cinnamons
- No. 1Fruidles | Cinnamon Sticks - Premium Grade Natural AA Cassia Vera
- No. 2McCormick & Company, Inc. | McCormick｜Ground Cinnamon
- No. 3FGO | FGO｜Ceylon Cinnamon Powder
- No. 4Han-Dee Pak, Inc. | Spice Classics｜Ground Cinnamon
- No. 5Amazon.com Services LLC | Happy Belly｜Ground Cinnamon
- 5 more products
- Extra Tip: Look Out for the Irradiation Label
- Does Cinnamon Expire?
- Does Cinnamon Have Calories?
- Does Cinnamon Lower Blood Pressure?
- More Ways to Enjoy Cinnamon
Understanding Cinnamon: Varieties, Benefits, and Uses
Cinnamon is more than just a popular spice; it encompasses a range of varieties, each with its own distinct characteristics. Beyond its culinary uses, cinnamon offers numerous health benefits. It is known for its antioxidant properties, and studies suggest it can help manage blood sugar levels and reduce inflammation. Whether used as part of a spice blend, sprinkled over oatmeal, or infused into beverages, cinnamon enhances flavor profiles and contributes healthful properties, making it a multifaceted ingredient worthy of exploration in any kitchen.
How to Choose a Cinnamon - Buying Guide
Cinnamon is a healthy, tasty spice made from tree bark that's a great addition to hot drinks and baked goods. However, each type of cinnamon has its own distinctive taste and flavor. You might also want to consider which form of cinnamon - stick or ground - will be the most convenient for you.
Optimize Flavor in Your Kitchen
There are two popular types of cinnamon: Ceylon and Cassia. Both taste great, but they have some differences that you might want to take into consideration before making a purchase.
Use Cassia Cinnamon for Rich Sweetness in Sweets and Breads
Ground Cassia cinnamon is the perfect choice for adding a robust, sweet-spicy flavor to your baked goods. Its intense taste makes it ideal for recipes like cinnamon rolls, apple pies, and spice cakes, where a bold cinnamon presence enhances the overall sweetness and depth of the dish. The strong flavor profile of Cassia cinnamon stands out well against other ingredients, making your sweets and breads irresistibly flavorful.
Choose Ceylon Cinnamon for Its Mild, Sweet Flavor in Delicate Dishes Like Rice Pudding
Ceylon cinnamon originally comes from Sri Lanka and the southern regions of India. It's tan and has a nuanced, slightly sweet flavor that's great for simple desserts and drinks. It's also the type of cinnamon commonly used in Mexican recipes. When in stick form, it has a smoother texture than Cassia cinnamon.
Since it's more subtle, it's best used alone or with flavors that won't overwhelm it, like vanilla. This will allow you to enjoy its complex flavor! However, Ceylon cinnamon is often more expensive. If you need a lot of cinnamon flavor and aren't too worried about nuance, you may want to use Cassia instead.
For Those Concerned About Health, Opt for Organic Cinnamon for Its Low Coumarin Content
For those concerned about health, opting for organic Ceylon cinnamon is a smart choice due to its low coumarin content, which makes it safer for regular consumption compared to other types. Coumarin is a natural compound found in higher levels in Cassia cinnamon, and excessive consumption can be harmful to the liver and kidneys. Organic Ceylon cinnamon retains all the flavorful benefits of traditional cinnamon while minimizing potential health risks associated with high coumarin levels. It's perfect for incorporating into your daily diet, whether you're sprinkling it on oatmeal, blending it into smoothies, or adding it to your favorite recipes.
Choose Cinnamon Based on the Regional Cooking You Are Doing
Choosing the right cinnamon based on the regional cuisine you're preparing can greatly enhance the authenticity and flavor of your dishes. Different types of cinnamon bring unique flavors that complement specific culinary traditions, ensuring your meals are both delicious and true to their origins.
Consider Saigon Cinnamon for Bold Flavors in Vietnamese and Chinese Dishes
For Traditional European Baking Go With Cassia Cinnamon
When it comes to traditional European baking, Cassia cinnamon is the go-to choice due to its robust, sweet-spicy flavor. This variety of cinnamon is perfect for enhancing classic desserts such as apple strudel, cinnamon rolls, and gingerbread, providing the rich, warm taste that these recipes are known for. Its stronger flavor profile stands up well to the hearty ingredients often used in European baked goods, making it an essential spice for achieving authentic, delicious results.
Try Ceylon Cinnamon to Enhance Middle Eastern Recipes
Ceylon cinnamon adds a delicate, sweet flavor that enhances the rich, aromatic spices typical of Middle Eastern cuisine. It's ideal for dishes like lamb tagine, baklava, and spiced rice, where its mild sweetness blends seamlessly with other ingredients, enhancing the overall complexity without overpowering the dish.
Choose the Cinnamon Form Right for You- Stick or Powder
Selecting the right form of cinnamon can greatly impact the outcome of your dishes. Let's take a look at the two option to help you make the right choice for your dish.
Choose Cinnamon Sticks for Infusing Flavor
Cinnamon sticks are perfect for infusing a subtle, warm flavor into liquids and slow-cooked dishes. They slowly release their aroma and taste, making them ideal for applications like mulled wine, hot cider, and savory stews. Simply add a stick to your pot, and let it simmer to impart a gentle, aromatic spice. Once done, you can easily remove the stick, ensuring a balanced flavor without any gritty texture. Opt for cinnamon sticks when you want a prolonged infusion of flavor that develops over time.
Choose Cinnamon Powder for Immediate Use and Baking
Cinnamon powder is the go-to choice for recipes that require immediate, even distribution of flavor. It's perfect for baking cookies, cakes, and breads, where its fine texture mixes seamlessly with other ingredients. Additionally, powdered cinnamon is great for sprinkling on top of dishes like oatmeal, yogurt, or fruit, providing an instant boost of warm, sweet spice. Choose cinnamon powder for its convenience and versatility in both sweet and savory quick-cooking applications.
10 Best Cinnamons
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | Details | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Item Weight | Cinnamon Type | Form | Specifications | Organic | |||||
1 | Fruidles Cinnamon Sticks - Premium Grade Natural AA Cassia Vera | | Whole Cinnamon Sticks Suitable for a Variety of Dishes | 4 oz. | Cassia | Sticks | Kosher | ||
2 | McCormick & Company, Inc. McCormick｜Ground Cinnamon | | Non-GMO Cinnamon That’s Been Aged for 15 Years | 7.12 oz. | Cassia | Ground | Non-GMO, Kosher | ||
3 | FGO FGO｜Ceylon Cinnamon Powder | | A Delicate, Floral Cinnamon from Sri Lanka | 16 oz. | Ceylon | Ground | Non-GMO | ||
4 | Han-Dee Pak, Inc. Spice Classics｜Ground Cinnamon | | Earthy Korintje Cinnamon for Various Culinary Uses | 18 oz. | Korintje | Ground | Kosher | ||
5 | Amazon.com Services LLC Happy Belly｜Ground Cinnamon | | A Ground Cinnamon That Pairs Well With Other Spices | 15 oz. | Cassia | Ground | Kosher | ||
6 | Indian Spice Trading Inc. Sudh｜Cinnamon Stick | | All-Natural Cinnamon Sticks From Indonesia | 3.5 oz. | Cassia | Sticks | Non-GMO | ||
7 | McCormick & Company, Inc. McCormick｜Cinnamon Sticks | | Versatile Cinnamon Sticks That Are Certified Kosher | 8 oz. | Cassia | Sticks | Kosher | ||
8 | Spicy World of USA Inc. Spicy World｜Cinnamon Sticks | | Saigon Cinnamon Suitable for Various Asian Cuisines | 14 oz. | Saigon | Sticks | |||
9 | Ceylon Flavors Trading (Pvt) Ltd Ceylon Flavors｜Organic Ceylon Cinnamon Sticks | | Organic Ceylon Cinnamon for a Lighter, More Delicate Flavor | 1 oz. | Ceylon | Sticks | Non-GMO | ||
10 | Amazon.com Services LLC Happy Belly｜Whole Cinnamon Sticks | | Versatile Cinnamon Sticks Produced by Amazon | 1.5 oz. | Cassia | Sticks | Kosher | ||
FruidlesCinnamon Sticks - Premium Grade Natural AA Cassia Vera
| Cinnamon Type | Cassia |
|---|---|
| Form | Sticks |
| Specifications | Kosher |
- Organic
Whole Cinnamon Sticks Suitable for a Variety of Dishes
Fruidles Cinnamon Sticks are cassia cinnamon sticks that are free from preservatives and are certified kosher. They go well with a wide variety of dishes including meats, fish, vegetables, soups, and desserts, and are also a good addition to curries, teas, and cakes. Cinnamon is also a source of antioxidants to help protect the body from oxidative damage.
| Item Weight | 4 oz. |
|---|
McCormick & Company, Inc.McCormick ｜ Ground Cinnamon
| Cinnamon Type | Cassia |
|---|---|
| Form | Ground |
| Specifications | Non-GMO, Kosher |
- Organic
Non-GMO Cinnamon That’s Been Aged for 15 Years
McCormick Ground Cinnamon is a good choice for adding to both sweet and savory dishes. This specific cinnamon is aged up to 15 years to develop a richer flavor. It is also non-GMO and kosher, making it suitable for a variety of dietary preferences. It is a cassia cinnamon, so it has a bolder flavor that goes especially well in baked goods. It comes in a 7.12 ounce shaker bottle, so this specific cinnamon will last you a long time.
| Item Weight | 7.12 oz. |
|---|
FGOFGO ｜ Ceylon Cinnamon Powder
| Cinnamon Type | Ceylon |
|---|---|
| Form | Ground |
| Specifications | Non-GMO |
- Organic
A Delicate, Floral Cinnamon from Sri Lanka
FGO Ceylon Cinnamon Powder is a cinnamon sourced from Sri Lanka. As a Ceylon cinnamon, it's known for its sweeter, lighter, and more delicate flavor compared to cassia cinnamon, and is also said to have a floral aroma. This cinnamon is good for a variety of dishes including meats, curries, teas, baked goods, and drinks like lattes and hot chocolate. It is also certified organic and non-GMO.
| Item Weight | 16 oz. |
|---|
Han-Dee Pak, Inc.Spice Classics ｜ Ground Cinnamon
| Cinnamon Type | Korintje |
|---|---|
| Form | Ground |
| Specifications | Kosher |
- Organic
Earthy Korintje Cinnamon for Various Culinary Uses
Spice Classics Ground Cinnamon is culinary-grade korintje cinnamon known for its earthy flavor and warm, sweet aroma. This finely-textured powder blends well with liquids and various ingredients, suitable for both sweet and savory dishes. It is also certified kosher and a good addition to desserts, hot beverages, meat, and poultry, making it a versatile spice that aligns with various dietary needs.
| Item Weight | 18 oz. |
|---|
Amazon.com Services LLCHappy Belly ｜ Ground Cinnamon
| Cinnamon Type | Cassia |
|---|---|
| Form | Ground |
| Specifications | Kosher |
- Organic
A Ground Cinnamon That Pairs Well With Other Spices
Happy Belly Ground Cinnamon is a product produced by Amazon brands that pairs well when used with spices like cumin, ginger, nutmeg, thyme, and turmeric, and is versatile enough for both sweet and savory recipes, including cookies, cakes, oatmeal, tea, chicken, lamb, pork, sweet potatoes, and soups. It is kosher certified and free from any artificial flavors or colors.
| Item Weight | 15 oz. |
|---|
Indian Spice Trading Inc.Sudh ｜ Cinnamon Stick
| Cinnamon Type | Cassia |
|---|---|
| Form | Sticks |
| Specifications | Non-GMO |
- Organic
All-Natural Cinnamon Sticks From Indonesia
Shudh Cinnamon Sticks are 100% natural, non-GMO cinnamon sticks that are also free from preservatives. These cinnamon sticks are made from cassia cinnamon, sourced from Indonesia, to give a bold flavor to dishes, especially sweet ones. Try grating these cinnamon sticks onto cookies, cakes and hot beverages for some extra spice.
| Item Weight | 3.5 oz. |
|---|
McCormick & Company, Inc.McCormick ｜ Cinnamon Sticks
| Cinnamon Type | Cassia |
|---|---|
| Form | Sticks |
| Specifications | Kosher |
- Organic
Versatile Cinnamon Sticks That Are Certified Kosher
McCormick Cinnamon Sticks are a good addition to beverages, curries, and slow-cooked stews. They can be used as stirrers for coffee and hot cocoa or simmered in apple cider and mulled wine. They are also a great choice for enhancing Indian curries and Vietnamese pho noodle soup. These cinnamon sticks are also certified kosher.
| Item Weight | 8 oz. |
|---|
Spicy World of USA Inc.Spicy World ｜ Cinnamon Sticks
| Cinnamon Type | Saigon |
|---|---|
| Form | Sticks |
| Specifications |
- Organic
Saigon Cinnamon Suitable for Various Asian Cuisines
Spicy World Cinnamon Sticks come in a bulk 14-ounce bag, providing a long-lasting supply of whole cinnamon sticks. Unlike other products in this list, these are Saigon cinnamon sticks from Vietnam. They tend to have a bolder flavor than Ceylon cinnamon and go well in Vietnamese and Chinese cuisine. They are free from any additives.
| Item Weight | 14 oz. |
|---|
Ceylon Flavors Trading (Pvt) LtdCeylon Flavors ｜ Organic Ceylon Cinnamon Sticks
| Cinnamon Type | Ceylon |
|---|---|
| Form | Sticks |
| Specifications | Non-GMO |
- Organic
Organic Ceylon Cinnamon for a Lighter, More Delicate Flavor
Ceylon Flavors Organic Ceylon Cinnamon Sticks, packaged in a 1-ounce unit, are cinnamon sticks sourced from farms in Sri Lanka's central region. Ceylon cinnamon, distinct from the more commonly used cassia cinnamon, contains significantly lower levels of coumarin, a chemical associated with health risks at high concentrations. Ceylon cinnamon is great if you are looking for a spice with a lighter, more delicate flavor, so go with this type of cinnamon if this is your desired flavor profile.
| Item Weight | 1 oz. |
|---|
Amazon.com Services LLCHappy Belly ｜ Whole Cinnamon Sticks
| Cinnamon Type | Cassia |
|---|---|
| Form | Sticks |
| Specifications | Kosher |
- Organic
Versatile Cinnamon Sticks Produced by Amazon
Happy Belly Whole Cinnamon Sticks are a good choice for use as stirrers in hot beverages, garnishes for seasonal dishes, or to infuse recipes with a rich flavor profile. Produced by Amazon brands, these cinnamon sticks are also certified kosher. Made from cassia cinnamon, they go well grated on top of baked goods, sweet drinks and ice cream.
| Item Weight | 1.5 oz. |
|---|
Extra Tip: Look Out for the Irradiation Label
Herbs and spices like cinnamon are commonly irradiated. Irradiation is a process that exposes food to ionizing radiation. Food irradiation can help extend the shelf-life of foods by eliminating microorganisms that can cause spoilage or food-borne diseases.
Food treated this way is considered to be safe by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. However, there are conflicting opinions on the effect of irradiation on nutritional content. The U.S. Center for Food Safety states that food irradiation can reduce the vitamin content from two to 95 percent.
On the other hand, some scientists say that food irradiation doesn't cause any significant loss in nutritional value. The low levels of irradiation can result in a slight reduction of vitamins, but no more than other processes like canning, drying, or blanching.
While irradiation does improve the safety of certain foods, it doesn't replace proper storage and handling. Food can still become contaminated after irradiation! Whether or not this is an important factor for you, all irradiated food is labeled with the green Radura symbol and the statement "treated with radiation."
Does Cinnamon Expire?
Yes, cinnamon does expire, but its shelf life can vary depending on its form and storage conditions. Ground cinnamon typically lasts about six months to a year, while cinnamon sticks can remain fresh for up to two years if stored properly. To maximize its shelf life, store cinnamon in an airtight container in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight and moisture. Over time, cinnamon may lose its potency, becoming less flavorful and aromatic, so it's essential to replace it periodically to ensure the best taste in your dishes.
Does Cinnamon Have Calories?
Yes, cinnamon does have calories, but the amount is quite minimal. A teaspoon of ground cinnamon contains approximately 6 calories. Despite its low calorie count, cinnamon is rich in flavor, allowing you to enhance your dishes without significantly affecting their caloric content. This makes it a popular choice for those looking to add depth and warmth to their food while keeping an eye on their calorie intake.
Does Cinnamon Lower Blood Pressure?
Cinnamon has been studied for its potential health benefits, including its ability to lower blood pressure. Some research suggests that cinnamon can help reduce systolic and diastolic blood pressure, particularly in individuals with type 2 diabetes. However, the evidence is not conclusive, and more research is needed to fully understand its effects. While cinnamon can be a beneficial addition to a balanced diet, it should not be relied upon as the sole method for managing blood pressure. Always consult with a healthcare professional for personalized advice and treatment options.
More Ways to Enjoy Cinnamon
If you are looking for some food and drinks that pair well with a bit of cinnamon, check out our suggestions below!
Top 5 Cinnamons
No. 1: Fruidles｜Cinnamon Sticks - Premium Grade Natural AA Cassia Vera
No. 2: McCormick & Company, Inc.｜McCormick｜Ground Cinnamon
No. 3: FGO｜FGO｜Ceylon Cinnamon Powder
No. 4: Han-Dee Pak, Inc.｜Spice Classics｜Ground Cinnamon
No. 5: Amazon.com Services LLC｜Happy Belly｜Ground Cinnamon
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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