Cinnamon

Cinnamon (lat. Cinnamomum verum) is the spice made from the dried bark of the cinnamon tree. Ceylon cinnamon is considered the "real" cinnamon. It is much milder and more valuable than the cheap, commercially available cassis cinnamon. Cinnamon is said to be one of the oldest spices in the world and was already used in India and China 2,000 BC.

The mildly sweet and spicy cinnamon is the typical ingredient in rice pudding, plum jam, baked apples, gingerbread and cinnamon stars. However, it has long been used not only at Christmas time, but also to refine hearty dishes. In many countries, savoury dishes are spiced with cinnamon, which makes it a year-round treat.