You may have used Ceylon cinnamon in your tea, desserts, and foods, but do you know where it comes from? So, here’s the answer: Ceylon cinnamon primarily comes from Sri Lanka. However, many other countries, such as Seychelles and Madagascar, also produce Ceylon cinnamon, but Sri Lanka’s cinnamon holds strong in the international market.
So, do you want to learn more about how the history of Ceylon cinnamon grew from Sri Lanka to the international market and the speciality of Sri Lanka’s Ceylon cinnamon? Read ahead to find out!
Where Does Ceylon Cinnamon Come From?
The term “Ceylon Cinnamon” is derived from Sri Lanka’s former name, “Ceylon,” which encompasses the branding of this product’s geographical location. Ceylon Cinnamon is primarily grown in the Western Coastal stretch of Sri Lanka1. It is also grown in several regions, such as Negombo and nearby villages. However, the location where it is grown also impacts the unique flavour it gives you.
So, where does Ceylon Cinnamon belong? It belongs to the family Lauraceae. This family hierarchy consists of 250 species and subspecies, and ‘Ceylon Cinnamon’ (Cinnamomum Zeylanicum Blume) is one of them that gained its international market2.
Moreover, the Export Development Board (SLEDB) has established the ‘Pure Ceylon Cinnamon’ brand. Thus, further helping establish a global brand in the international market3.
Sri Lanka is known to be the world’s largest producer and exporter of Ceylon cinnamon. It has gained its popularity as it provides the pure form of Cinnamon. At the same time, cinnamon suppliers from Sri Lanka hold approximately 90% of the global market share4. Even considering the international market, Ceylon cinnamon has a remarkable demand.
Moreover, Ceylon Cinnamon has a target audience in the USA, Mexico, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Spain, Guatemala, Chile, Bolivia, and more!
The History Of Ceylon Cinnamon Gaining Its Popularity
Dating back to the ancient world, Cinnamon was one of the famous traded spices. It was said to be popular among Arabs and Arab traders and is believed by some, to have come to the European market through a long travel route. Arabs considered Cinnamon precious, and there were even stories that giant birds used cinnamon sticks to make their nests but guarded them. Thus, it indicates that people who had cinnamon risked their lives because it was one of the expensive products.
While Arabs and many other countries loved the taste, flavour, and unique characteristics of Ceylon Cinnamon, it began gaining its reputation in the international market and rapidly expanded5.
So, how was Ceylon cinnamon used in old ages? Here’s how6:
- Europeans combined Cinnamon with Pepper to preserve meat products.
- Ceylon cinnamon was used in bakery and food products.
- Asians used cinnamon to provide an aromatic and flavoured tea.
Where Does The Best Quality Ceylon Cinnamon Come From?
Some of the best-quality Ceylon cinnamon comes from Cinnamomum Zeylanicum, an indigenous tree to Sri Lanka7. This tree is known to produce the high-quality pure Ceylon cinnamon. The cinnamon gained from this tree has a unique colour, taste, quality, flavour, and aroma, highlighting it among some of the other varieties.
There are other countries where Ceylon Cinnamon is grown besides Sri Lanka. However, this indigenous tree’s cinnamon production stands out in the market, a flagship product of Sri Lanka.
Why Is Ceylon Cinnamon From Sri Lanka Special?
Ceylon cinnamon has an interesting production method in Sri Lanka. It takes about 3 to 4 years to come into production8. Throughout its plantation and handling period, it needs the proper essential nutrients to its quality and flavour.
Not just the flavour, but other characteristics such as flavour, fragrance, colour, aroma, a combination of critical ingredients in itself, terroir, and processing methods also play a crucial role in giving an intricate flavour to Ceylon Cinnamon.
Even though Sri Lanka handles many other export products, Ceylon cinnamon is reported to be distributed to approximately 90% of the global market.
Even the preparation of Ceylon cinnamon is an art that includes making quills at the right thickness and dimensions. Also, Sri Lanka is known to produce the standard dimensions and lengths of quills. For example, different types of quills are broken down into several grades. They include:
- Alba: Alba is a 6 mm diameter quill, the most expensive kind of Cinnamon.
- Continental: Continental refers to a medium-grade cinnamon with a larger quill diameter than Alba.
- Mexican: Mexican consists of a strong and spicy flavour.
- Hamburg: Hamburg is a more economical variety, with larger quills and a slightly more intense taste.
From the Ceylon cinnamon plantation to production, a unique technique is followed, passed down from generation to generation with the aim of keeping the market and demand consistent.
Ceylon cinnamon serves various other purposes, including value-added cinnamon products. Based on Ceylon cinnamon, you can make by-products such as tablets, spicy candies, hot cocoa, oil, powder, chocolates, desserts, and more! Some of these products are made in Sri Lanka and also exported to various countries from Sri Lanka.
Some countries purchase Ceylon cinnamon as a raw ingredient for their production processes. For example, Ceylon cinnamon is primarily used in medical cuisine production in Mexico9. The oil taken from Cinnamon is also used in perfumes, exotic gifts, and cosmetics10! It is also used worldwide in many other industries, such as food production and cosmetic and pharmaceutical preparations.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, Ceylon cinnamon primarily originates from Sri Lanka. Even though other countries produce cinnamon, Ceylon (the old name for Sri Lanka) is a flagship bearer of the “Ceylon Cinnamon” brand.
Are you looking to purchase the best quality of Cinnamon cinnamon? Check out our store now!
We hope this guide helped you learn about Ceylon cinnamon’s origin!
FAQs
Is all Ceylon cinnamon from Sri Lanka?
No, it is reported that approximately 80% to 90% of Ceylon Cinnamon production comes from Sri Lanka, but other countries, such as Seychelles, Madagascar, and a few more!
Where is cassia cinnamon from?
Cassia cinnamon primarily comes from the Cinnamomum cassia tree, also called Cinnamomum aromaticum, and is grown in China, the Vietnam region, the Java region, Indonesia, and India.
Which is the best quality cinnamon in Sri Lanka?
Some of the best quality cinnamon in Sri Lanka is Ceylon Cinnamon or whole Ceylon Cinnamon sticks. And, cinnamon from Sri Lanka is known to be one of the best types of cinnamon in the world.
What is unique about Ceylon cinnamon?
The speciality of Ceylon cinnamon is that it consists of antioxidants, is anti-inflammatory, supports the immune system, has antioxidant enzyme activity, known to treat, and has antimicrobial impacts on you.
- https://www.srilankabusiness.com/faq/ceylon-spices/where-is-ceylon-cinnamon-grown.html[↩]
- https://pureceyloncinnamon.edb.gov.lk/historical-background-of-ceylon-cinnamon/[↩]
- https://www.srilankabusiness.com/spices/about/cinnamon-cultivation-sri-lanka.html[↩]
- Ceylon cinnamon’s battle with cassia cinnamon [25 Feb 2024] – https://www.themorning.lk/articles/S7N2IR9Wn7dnn6ZJbdRF[↩]
- https://www.trueceylonspices.com/where-cinnamon-comes-from/[↩]
- https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2021/10/18/harvesting-true-cinnamon-the-story-of-the-ceylon-spice[↩]
- https://dea.gov.lk/cinnamon/[↩]
- https://www.srilankabusiness.com/blog/processing-of-ceylon-cinnamon.html[↩]
- https://archive.roar.media/english/life/reports/how-sri-lankan-cinnamon-invaded-mexican-cuisine[↩]
- https://www.srilankabusiness.com/spices/ceylon-cinnamon-as-spice.html[↩]
