Did You Know About the Differences Between Organic Ceylon Cinnamon and Organic Korintje Cinnamon?
If you use cinnamon regularly in your cooking, you may be using organic Ceylon cinnamon or organic Korintje cinnamon. Did you know that both are quite different? The surely look and smell and taste similar, so how can you tell them apart?
Consider their Latin names: organic Ceylon cinnamon is actually Cinnamomum verum. It is called organic Ceylon cinnamon from the colonial name of Sri Lanka or Ceylon from where it originated. Organic Korintje cinnamom is actually Cinnamomum burmannii and comes from Indonesia. Organic Korintje cinnamon is actually a variety of cassia cinnamon, which is different from organic Ceylon cinnamon. Both varieties may be known as cinnamon sticks and it is up to you to tell them apart.
How are the two Varieties Different?
While they seem to taste and smell similar — and at times it may be difficult to tell them apart — they are different types from different plants:
- Ceylon cinnamon: light brown in color
- Korintje cinnamon: dark brown in color
- Ceylon cinnamon: sweet flavor
- Korintje cinnamon: a somewhat bitter and stronger flavor
- Ceylon cinnamon: when you look at the cinnamon sticks closely, you will notice that there are thin and soft layers of bark that are rolled together.
- Korintje cinnamon: this is much thicker and the layers are not visible.
- Ceylon cinnamon: is easy to break or split
- Korintje cinnamon: is much harder to break since it stronger and thicker.
- Ceylon cinnamon: contains minuscule amounts of coumarin (0.004%), a volatile active compound that may be hepatoxic (causing liver damage) in large quantities.
- Korintje cinnamon: contains more coumarin, as much as 1%, making it risky to take too much cassia cinnamon in large doses.
- Ceylon cinnamon: is much more expensive and you may need more of it to get the characteristic cinnamon flavor. However, it is more sophisticated and complex.
- Korintje cinnamon: is much cheaper when compared to the pure or true cinnamon and you can use a smaller quantity to get the desired flavor and taste. It has a bolder aroma and is quite strong.
- Ceylon cinnamon: this is not as widely used as cassia cinnamon.
- Korintje cinnamon: about 70% cinnamon imported in the US is cassia cinnamon.
Even when you buy branded cinnamon, whether cinnamon sticks or cinnamon powder, you may find it difficult to tell them apart and may have to look for information on the labels regarding country of origin and the type of cinnamon. The powdered variety is even harder to tell apart.
What About the Usage of Organic Ceylon Cinnamon and Organic Korintje Cinnamon?
Unless you are carrying out a taste test with the two varieties of powdered cinnamon, side by side, you may find it difficult to make out the difference. The sticks, on the other hand, are easier to differentiate. What can confuse you further is that there are other varieties of cinnamon with similar taste and aroma that are available. As a matter of fact, there can be as many as 100 different varieties of cinnamon.
Apart from popular varieties like organic Ceylon cinnamon and organic Korintje cinnamom, there are two others. You can get Saigon or Vietnamese cinnamon that has a high percentage of coumarin (8%) so is best avoided if you have any liver or other health problems, unless you use it occasionally in small quantities. It is spicier in taste. Its Latin name is Cinnamomum loureiro. And there is yet another variety that is Chinese cinnamon or Cinnamomum aromatic, which has a milder flavor than the Saigon or Korintje cinnamon varieties.
Organic Ceylon cinnamon with its floral and citrusy notes and mild flavor is often used in teas, desserts and sprinkled on top of food and beverages. Try cappuccino with a sprinkle of organic Ceylon cinnamon — the flavors of coffee and cinnamon blend well together. Or use it with hot chocolate.
Organic Korintje cinnamon is best used in cooking, whether sweet or savory dishes. It is a favorite of bakers and dessert chefs. While you can sprinkle it on top of foods, it does have stronger and more bitter nuances, so you have to be careful with its use. It is great when used in garam masala, spicy foods and other dishes, and while baking, since its aroma fills the kitchen.
Whether you are buying organic Ceylon cinnamon or organic Korintje cinnamon, you should certainly be aware of the differences and the similarities between the two varieties and then decide which one you want to use and for what. When you buy cinnamon sticks, it may be easier to tell them apart when you visually inspect them, but the same does not apply to cinnamon powder. It may be difficult to tell the powders apart visually or even after tasting.
If you do have health concerns, then it is best to use organic Ceylon cinnamon instead of organic Korintje cinnamon that has higher courmarin content.
