Organic 'True Cinnamon' is Ceylon Cinnamon, from the plant 'Cinnamomum zeylanicum' (or 'verum'). It is certified organic, has a light tan colour, and a sweet, delicate, floral flavour. It is the high-quality, safer alternative to standard Cassia cinnamon.
The main differences are flavour and safety. This 'True Cinnamon' is sweet, delicate, and floral. Regular Cassia cinnamon is spicy, pungent, and 'hot.' Most importantly, Cassia contains high levels of coumarin, which can be toxic to the liver. This True (Ceylon) cinnamon contains virtually none.
Coumarin is a natural compound found in high levels in Cassia cinnamon. In regular or large doses, it can cause liver stress. Organic 'True' Cinnamon (Ceylon) is the preferred choice for daily use (in smoothies, oats, or coffee) because it contains only trace, negligible amounts.
It has a sophisticated, multi-layered flavour. It is sweet and warm, with citrusy and floral notes. It is not 'spicy-hot' like the Cassia cinnamon you find in candies.
Its flavour is more delicate than Cassia. It's best used in smoothies, lattes, and fine baking (like custards and rice puddings). If you are substituting it in a recipe that expects a strong, spicy Cassia flavour, you may need to use slightly more.
Choosing organic ensures the cinnamon bark was grown and processed without synthetic pesticides or herbicides. This guarantees a pure powder, which is especially important for a spice that is consumed daily.
