Ceylon cinnamon, the wonder spice

 Cinnamon Drink

Sri Lankans have long appreciated the wonderful spice that is cinnamon, using it in our daily cooking to add fragrance and flavour to many dishes. 

Two variants of cinnamon are popular across the world. The cheaper, strong flavoured, darker coloured Cassia and the milder, sweeter, rarer and healthier Ceylon Cinnamon, which is known as the true cinnamon. 

Studies have shown that Ceylon Cinnamon is loaded with antioxidants, has anti-inflammatory properties, that it can help lower blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of heart disease. Ceylon Cinnamon is almost a ‘wonder spice’, and most importantly, it tastes great! 

Although we traditionally use Ceylon Cinnamon in its stick form, it is also available as a powder, and even more conveniently in the form of steeping bags. These bags consist of ground, high quality, pure Ceylon Cinnamon and are packaged in a manner similar to tea bags. While they can be steeped in hot water and consumed as is, they can also be used in numerous ways to enhance flavour in other beverages, and give you a health boost in the process. 

Here are some great ways to use cinnamon steeping bags:

A flavour boost for your favourite beverages

Hot coffee and tea – Cinnamon is a wonderful addition to coffee and tea beverages. Add a cinnamon bag when you are brewing tea or coffee in hot water. This will impart a subtle, warm flavour to your beverage, while also giving you a health advantage. You can choose to add milk and sugar if you so wish. 

Iced tea – You can also brew a couple of black tea bags along with a cinnamon bag, add a spoon of honey, a few squeezes of lemon and some ice cubes for a refreshing and delicious drink on a hot day. 

Masala chai – If you enjoy masala chai, all you need to do is steep a cinnamon bag along with some bruised cardamom pods and cloves in some hot milk. Add it to your brewed tea for a flavourful, spicy beverage. 

Hot chocolate – Chocolate and cinnamon are a wonderful flavour combination popular in Mexico, and there is no reason you shouldn’t try it as well. Add a cinnamon bag when you are heating milk for a hot chocolate beverage. Add the cocoa powder, hot chocolate mix or chocolate syrup into the heated milk and stir well. The two flavours marry so well together, creating an exotic beverage that will certainly become a favourite.

Home remedies for a healthier you 

Cold and flu fighter – Add a cinnamon bag and a tablespoon of fresh ginger to a cup of hot water and brew for five minutes. The combination of cinnamon and ginger is a traditional remedy for colds, coughs and sore throats. You can add a teaspoon of bee’s honey for some sweetness. 

Aiding weight loss – While cinnamon cannot melt your fat away, it can help you in your weight loss journey in a couple of ways. Cinnamon has a natural sweetness and very few calories. Brew a cup of cinnamon tea, add a splash of lemon and some ice cubes. This delicious drink can replace all those sugary, carbonated drinks that pile on the weight. Cinnamon is also believed to boost metabolism because your body uses more energy to process the spice than most other foods. 

Ceylon Cinnamon is a great tasting, healthy spice that we Sri Lankans are lucky to have easy access to. Don’t disregard the many benefits it can bring to your life. Be inspired by these ideas and stock up on some cinnamon steeping bags the next time you do your grocery shopping. 

References

Health Benefits of Pure Ceylon Cinnamon - http://www.srilankabusiness.com/blog/health-benefits-of-pure-ceylon-cinnamon.html 

10 Evidence-Based Health Benefits of Cinnamon - https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/10-proven-benefits-of-cinnamon

Does Cinnamon Help You Lose Weight? - https://www.verywellfit.com/does-cinnamon-help-you-lose-weight-1087899