The Allure of Cinnamon - Great Foods You Can Make with This Popular Spice

Nothing is more pleasant than the tantalizing smell of freshly baked cinnamon rolls, wafting through the house on a cool day. Adding cinnamon to apples is the most popular use when cooking, but it is used in pork and poultry recipes, and superb with chocolate. Adding half a teaspoon or stick of cinnamon, to hot chocolate or a cup of tea in the morning will make both these beverages more flavorful. Cinnamon toast is a yummy snack for many of us.

Cinnamon and its enticing aroma have been around for centuries. The specific origins of this spice go back to Egypt. Egyptians imported this spice from China. They would use cinnamon as one of the preservatives to embalm the deceased, as a herbal medicine, and, of course, to add zest to their cooking.

Cinnamon originally comes from the barks of evergreen trees located in Sri Lanka. Two different varieties of cinnamons exist: Ceylon is the fragrant spiral stick we use to spice our beverages, and Cassia is the ground spice we bake with. Cinnamon was one of the major spices in demand when international trade started. It's not surprising to know that it is also the most common spice used in the United States.

The medicinal qualities of this respected spice are numerous. It helps with digestion, lowers cholesterol, helps promote circulation, and helps limit the amount of insulin needed for people with Diabetes II. It can be used as an astringent, antibacterial or anti-fungal. Antiseptically it is used for brushing teeth, to prevent gum disease and overall mouth hygiene. The spiral cinnamon sticks can be used to aid when quitting smoking. When used for physical ailments capsules are available or ground cinnamon is added to a liquid. An oil is also available. The oil is used for aromatherapy and not be taken orally or used on our bodies. Before using any herbal medicine, make sure to check with a licensed professional.