Cinnamon is a spice with a pungent odor and flavor. Cinnamon has been used as a medicine and as a spice. It comes from the bark of the cinnamon tree, and is commonly seen as a dried tubular form or quill or in a powder. Chinese and Ceylon are the two varieties of cinnamon, the flavor of both is alike however the cinnamon from Ceylon is slightly sweeter, it is also reportedly harder to find then the Chinese version.

Cinnamon comes from the bark of a small evergreen tree named cinnamomum zeylanicum, native to Sri Lanka and south India. The flavor comes from an essential oil that makes up less than 1% of its composition.

Cassia, a close relative to the Cinnamon tree, is found in Asia is most likely what is sold as cinnamon in the United States. The Cassia bark is similar to cinnamon but with a stronger flavor and a harder, thicker bark. Botanically, the two are related.

Cinnamon is commonly used in desserts, coffee drinks, cereals, and Middle Eastern food. Cinnamon is perfectly paired with nutmeg for savory and sweet dishes as well.http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=68

Wild cinnamon trees can grow to enormous heights, but harvesting trees are generally pruned at two years, to harvest a special type of young cinnamon bark called tillering. A mature tree, one three years of growth or older, is then harvested twice annually. Sprouts and stems are pruned from the tree and the bark is stripped, rolled and dried. Harvesting of cinnamon starts in May and goes through the summer and into late October.http://www.herbdatanz.com/cinnamon_picture_monograph.htm

• Cinnamon is used to freshen breath.

• Cinnamon bark can provide relief for minor toothache pain.

• Cinnamon has shown promise in helping diabetics keep blood sugar level.

• Cinnamon helps with circulation and blood flow, though it can, in over-abundance, cause blood clotting issues.

• Cinnamon is considered to be an aphrodisiac.http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=68