What kind of cinnamon is Saigon cinnamon?

cassia cinnamon
Saigon cinnamon, also called Vietnamese cinnamon, is a type of cassia cinnamon that comes from the cassia cinnamon tree. It’s an evergreen tree that grows in Southeast Asia. The bark is either rolled up into small tubes or ground into a fine powder.

What is the difference between cinnamon and ceylon cinnamon?

Cinnamomum verum, also called true cinnamon or Ceylon cinnamon, is a more expensive and difficult to find cinnamon variety. Ceylon has a lighter, sweeter flavour than Cassia. Historically, Ceylon was more common in Europe and North America, but changing trade systems have shifted favour to Cassia cinnamon.

Where does ceylon cinnamon come from?

Ceylon cinnamon comes from the bark of cinnamon trees, which are small evergreens found in Sri Lanka and much of Southeast Asia. The bark is dried and can be ground or used in stick form to add sweetness and warmth to a wide variety of foods.

What are cinnamon sticks used for?

CINNAMON STICK USES. Cinnamon sticks can be used in tea, curries, stews, soups, rice, mulled wine, desserts or distilled into extract.

Is Saigon cinnamon toxic?

Saigon cinnamon contains a compound called coumarin, which can be toxic when consumed in high amounts. Compared to other types of cinnamon, the Saigon cinnamon coumarin content is significantly higher.

Can I eat raw cinnamon sticks?

Eating dry cinnamon can irritate your throat and lungs, as well as make you gag or choke. It can also permanently damage your lungs. This is because the lungs cannot break down the fibers in the spice. It may accumulate in the lungs and cause lung inflammation known as aspiration pneumonia (23, 24 ).

Is Vietnamese and Saigon cinnamon the same?

Saigon cinnamon, also known as Vietnamese cinnamon or Vietnamese cassia, comes from the tree Cinnamomum loureiroi ( 1 ). Used in many dishes around the world, it has a strong, sweet, and spicy flavor and aroma.

Which cinnamon is healthiest?

Ceylon cinnamon contains all of the health-promoting properties of cinnamon with none of the toxic properties, which is why it’s the healthiest type of cinnamon.

Is it OK to eat a cinnamon stick raw?

Cinnamon is generally safe to use in small amounts as a spice. It’s linked to many impressive health benefits. However, eating too much may cause potentially dangerous side effects. This mostly applies to Cassia cinnamon because it’s a rich source of coumarin.

How long should you boil cinnamon sticks?

Add one Ceylon Cinnamon Stick (3 inch length) Close lid. Cinnamon sticks have to be slow boiled to extract all the Cinnamon, so bring the water to a slow boil in a pan or stove top kettle. Set the heat setting to medium low so it boils slowly.. This usually takes about 15-25 minutes.

What is the difference between Vietnamese cinnamon and Saigon cinnamon?

Saigon cinnamon is used widely as a spice. You may be surprised to learn that there are not one or two but multiple different varieties of cinnamon. Saigon cinnamon, also known as Vietnamese cinnamon, is one of them.

What is the difference between Saigon cinnamon and regular cinnamon?

Saigon cinnamon, on the other hand, is believed to have the strongest flavor. The essential oils within the cinnamon bark give it its signature aroma and flavor. The strength of the aroma and flavor depends on how much essential oil the bark has.

What is Saigon cinnamon bark?

In Vietnamese cuisine, Saigon cinnamon bark is an important ingredient in the broth used to make phở, a popular noodle soup dish. Wikimedia Commons has media related to Cinnamomum loureiroi.

Where does Saigon cinnamon come from?

Although it is called Saigon cinnamon, it is not produced in the area around the southern city of Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon), but instead in the Central Highlands regions of the country, particularly the Quảng Ngãi Province of central Vietnam.

How much cinnamaldehyde in Saigon cinnamon?

Saigon cinnamon has 1-5% essential oil content and 25% cinnamaldehyde in essential oil. Consequently, among the species, Saigon cinnamon commands a relatively high price.

Can I use Saigon cinnamon instead of Ceylon?

While Ceylon contains a very low amount of coumarin, other varieties of cinnamon — including Saigon — contain much higher amounts, diminishing many of their potential health benefits. Can you use Saigon cinnamon in place of Ceylon cinnamon? In many recipes, you can use Saigon as a substitute for Ceylon cinnamon.