how is a cinnamon stick made

In order to harvest cinnamon, two to five-year-old trees are cut back to a stump which causes them to start growing like a bush and produce new shoots. These shoots are harvested and stripped of their outer bark. The inner bark is then polished, stretched, layered and hand-rolled into quills that are trimmed and dried.
how is a cinnamon stick made

Where to Buy

Given how popular the spice is, you can easily find whole and ground cinnamon varieties at most grocery stores. But if youre looking for a specific type of cinnamon, you can source it from specialty stores such as Curio Spice, Burlap and Barrel, or Kalustyans.

How to Substitute Ground Cinnamon for Cinnamon Sticks, or Another Spice Altogether

If you are unable to find whole cinnamon, you can substitute ground cinnamon. Use 1/4 teaspoon to 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon for 1 cinnamon stick.

When using ground cinnamon, try not to overdo it; too much cinnamon can impart a bitter flavor and gritty texture to the dish. Instead, start with a small amount, taste, and adjust as needed.

If youre out of cinnamon entirely: While there isnt a perfect substitute for this spice, nutmeg, cloves, or allspice provide similar earthy, warming flavors and aromas.

Harvesting and Processing Cinnamon

FAQ

How do they make cinnamon sticks?

Cinnamon comes from the inner bark of multiple tree species. Harvesters scrape off the outer layers to reveal the inner, wetter bark. The bark dries for several hours, naturally curling into quills (or sticks) in the process. Finally, it is cut into small pieces and sold.

How are cinnamon sticks harvested?

For harvesting, farmers cut down the branches of cinnamon trees at an angle, which allows cinnamon bushes to regrow, Lakshith says. Young and tender twigs are thrown away. Once branches are soaked in water and are moist enough, peelers remove the outermost layer of the cinnamon bark.

Are cinnamon sticks just cinnamon?

What Are Cinnamon Sticks? Cinnamon is a spice that comes from the inner bark of the tropical Cinnamomum tree (colloquially known as the cinnamon tree), sold as rolled quills (cinnamon sticks) or ground into a fine powder.

Are cinnamon sticks made of wood?

Cinnamon is made from the inner bark of a cinnamon tree, so although it may dry out to seem woody, it does not have the typical structure that wood has, containing rays and growth rings. It cannot be cut into lumber either. Like the leaves, it is part of the tree, but it is not wood.

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