Learn all about the best cinnamon sticks for tea, different types of cinnamon and the benefits of spicing up your cuppa.
Looking for a way to level up your tea? You just might want to add a cinnamon stick.
Not only does cinnamon add a delightful flavour, but there are also purported health benefits.
Why put a cinnamon stick in tea?
There are two main reasons people add cinnamon sticks to their tea: flavour and health benefits.
Flavour
Like ground cinnamon, cinnamon sticks impart a warm, spicy flavour to whatever you add them to. By steeping a cinnamon stick in your tea, you get a drink that's full of cinnamon flavour, without leaving a bunch of spice floating in your drink.
Ground cinnamon is hydrophobic, meaning it doesn't dissolve. So while you might love the taste of it in a drink, it's not always enjoyable to have undissolved cinnamon powder floating in your tea. Whole cinnamon sticks, on the other hand, allow you to infuse your tea with additional flavour, with no extra effort required.
Health benefits
Cinnamon tea is said to have several health benefits. It has been used in different cultures and herbal remedies for everything from soothing a cold to contributing to weight loss. Purported medicinal purposes of cinnamon tea include:
- Regulating blood sugar levelsImproving insulin sensitivity and decreasing insulin resistance
- Reducing the risk of Alzheimer's disease
- Soothing a sore throat
- Liver damage
- Antioxidant properties: fight harmful free radicals
- Fighting viruses: perfect for flu season
- Anti-inflammatory properties
- Curing mouth sores
Note: Before using cinnamon as an herbal remedy - even in small doses - consult your doctor first. Though it is a natural ingredient, too much cinnamon can have adverse effects.
Which type of cinnamon is best?
The two main types of cinnamon are Ceylon cinnamon and Cassia cinnamon.
While both have their benefits, Ceylon is generally considered to be the better option due to the fact that it's higher quality and contains less coumarin, a natural compound that can be dangerous in high doses.
Ceylon cinnamon
- Also called "true cinnamon"
- primarily found in Sri Lanka
- Lighter color
- delicate taste
- Sweeter flavour
- finer texture
- Made from the inner bark of the cinnamon tree
- Can be harder to find, you may have to look at specialty spice stores or at Latin grocers where it may be called "Canela" (its Spanish/Mexican name)
- Generally more expensive
Cassia cinnamon
- Also called "Chinese cinnamon", "Chinese cassia" or "Indonesian cinnamon"
- As the name suggests, this is usually grown in China or Indonesia
- Coarser texture
- darker color
- thicker bark
- stronger flavour
- Easier to find in grocery stores in the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia
Other varieties of cinnamon
- Vietnamese cinnamon/ Saigon cinnamon:
- A type of cassia cinnamon with a high concentration of essential oils
- strongest colour
- most distinct flavour
- high coumarin, like cassia
- great for recipes with a strong cinnamon flavour (such as cinnamon rolls)
Techniques for using cinnamon sticks in tea
- Cinnamon stick tea: Make a "cinnamon stick tea" by simply adding boiling water and a cinnamon stick to a mug. Much like you'd typically brew tea, the hot water will extract the spicy flavour from the cinnamon, leaving you with a light, slightly spiced tea
- Cinnamon black tea: Incorporate a cinnamon stick into your daily cuppa by brewing it with your normal tea bags. Simply add a cinnamon stick and tea bag into a mug, and then top it up with hot water from your tea kettle. The flavour of the cinnamon bark will seep into your tea. If drinking tea is already part of your daily routine, this is an easy way to reap some additional benefits.
- Cinnamon green tea: the delicate flavour of green tea pairs perfectly with the flavour profile of Ceylon cinnamon. Add a drizzle of honey for additional flavour and antioxidants.
- Cinnamon ginger tea: Ginger and cinnamon combine to make one of the cosiest hot drinks. Chop ginger root into small pieces, then brew it in boiling water. Strain out the ginger, then swirl in your cinnamon stick for a warming, delicate flavour.
- Loose-leaf tea: Want to include cinnamon sticks in your loose-leaf tea? No problem. Either soak your cinnamon stick in the brewed tea, or break the cinnamon stick up, and mix it through the tea leaves before brewing. While Cylon cinnamon is relatively easy to break apart, just be warned that cassia cinnamon can be very hard, and tough to break down.
Shop some of the best cinnamon sticks for tea
United States
Spiceology, Ceylon Cinnamon Sticks
The Spice House, Ceylon Cinnamon Quills
Druera, Gourmet Ceylon Cinnamon Sticks - Alba grade
United Kingdom
Forest Whole Foods, Organic 3-4 inch Ceylon Cinnamon Sticks (Quills)
Grape Tree, 5 Pure Ceylon Cinnamon Sticks
Australia
Gourmet Organic, Cinnamon Quills
Gewürzhaus, Cinnamon Quill (A Grade Organic/Whole)
Yarra Valley Impex, Natural Pure Ceylon Cinnamon Quills
