Cinnamon Powder

Ceylon (Sri Lanka) Cinnamon also called "True Cinnamon" because that is exactly what it is, the bark of a cinnamon tree. In the States, what we know as cinnamon is really the bark of a cassia tree. It has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant qualities and is especially suited for baking because its flavor is strong but has a sweet taste which is less bite. Cinnamon spice is often added to baked goods, stewed fruits, applesauce, and is a common ingredient in many spice mixtures for pudding, pastry spice, mulling spices, and even toast. Try adding cinnamon to marinades, mulled wine, soups, meats, pasta, breads, pastries, and even vegetables as is often done in Europe and Canada. Cinnamon is a common ingredient in Indian cooking, included in curry powders and the Garam Masala spice mixture.

Ceylon Cinnamon powder is a low-calorie spice with only twelve calories in two teaspoons of cinnamon powder. It is very low in protein and fat but does provide about 10% of the daily recommended fiber in two teaspoons of cinnamon powder. Cinnamon powder is an excellent source of manganese, providing over one-third of the recommended daily intake of manganese in a two-teaspoon serving of cinnamon powder based on data compiled by the USDA. That same two teaspoons of cinnamon powder provides about 10% of your daily iron and 6% of your daily calcium requirement as well. The graph at right displays the mineral content in 10 grams of cinnamon powder, about 1 1/2 tablespoons of cinnamon powder. Cinnamon powder contains only small amounts of magnesium, phosphorous, potassium, selenium, sodium, zinc, niacin, and vitamin K.