Cinnamomum verum

Description

Cinnamomum verum trees are 10–15 m tall. The leaves are ovate-oblong in shape and 7–18 cm long. The flowers, which are arranged in panicles, have a greenish color and a distinct odor. The fruit is a purple 1 cm (0.5 in) drupe containing a single seed.

Cultivation

The old botanical synonym for the tree, Cinnamomum zeylanicum, is derived from Sri Lanka's former name, Ceylon. Sri Lanka still produces 80–90%{{Cite web|url=https://druera.com/blogs/ceylon-cinnamon-basics/why-ceylon-cinnamon-10x-more-expensive-than-cassia|title=Why Ceylon Cinnamon 10x More Expensive than Cassia

On Borneo, Cinnamomum verum is cultivated at low elevations in Sarawak (Kuching District), Sabah (Keningau and Sandakan districts), and Kalimantan.

Cultivars

There are several different cultivars of Cinnamomum verum based on the taste of bark:

• Pani-Miris Kurundu - Sweet and spicy
• Miris Kurundu - Spicy
• Sevel Kurundu - Slime
• Weli Kurundu - Coarse
• Thiththa Kurundu - Bitter

Processing

The trees grow as leafy bushes, usually reaching a maximum of 3 m in height. They are first harvested at 3 years old and continue producing well for 40–50 years. Small side branches, 1.5–5 cm (0.5-2 in) in diameter, are removed from the trees. The outer bark is removed and processed into mulch. Twigs, leaves and berries (seeds) are crushed to make cinnamon oil, a less valuable byproduct. The inner bark of the branches is loosened by being rubbed with a brass rod. The bark is then split with a brass or stainless-steel knife and peeled off as intact as possible. Long, full 'quills' of cinnamon are more valuable than broken pieces. These quills are then dried over several days in the shade, then in darkness. All this work is done by hand by experienced workers; this is the most expensive part of producing cinnamon spice. Finally, the dried bark is cut into sticks or ground into powder for sale to consumers.

Grading

The Sri Lankan grading system divides the cinnamon quills into four groups:

• Alba, less than 6 mm in diameter
• Continental, less than 16 mm in diameter
• Mexican, less than 19 mm in diameter
• Hamburg, less than 32 mm in diameter

These groups are further divided into specific grades. For example, Mexican is divided into M00000 special, M000000 and M0000, depending on quill diameter and number of quills per kilogram. Any pieces of bark less than 106 mm long are categorized as quillings. Featherings are the inner bark of twigs and twisted shoots. Chips are trimmings of quills, outer and inner bark that cannot be separated, or the bark of small twigs.

Medicinal uses

Cinnamon has a long history of use in traditional medicine as a digestive aid.

Preliminary studies show that cinnamon could slow symptoms of Alzheimer's disease through the reduction of the oligomerization of beta-amyloid.

Gallery

Cinnamomum verum leaves.JPG|Leaves of the Cinnamomum verum plant Cinnamomum verum 002.JPG|Leaves of the Cinnamomum verum plant Cinnamomum_verum_spices.jpg|Bark, powder and dried flowers from Cinnamomum verum plant

References

References

1. de Kok, R.. (2024). "''Cinnamomum verum''".
2. "Cinnamomum verum J.Presl — The Plant List".
3. "NCBI – Cinnamomum verum".
4. (July 2021). ""Ceylon cinnamon": Much more than just a spice". Plants, People, Planet.
5. (2008). "Encyclopædia Britannica".
6. "Medicinal Spices Exhibit - UCLA Biomedical Library: History & Special Collections".
7. [https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Cinnamomum+verum Cinnamomum verum Cinnamon, Ceylon Cinnamon Tree PFAF Plant Database]
8. "In pictures: Sri Lanka's spice of life". BBC News.
9. Iqbal, Mohammed. (1993). "International trade in non-wood forest products: An overview". Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
10. (26 June 2020). "Upgrading cinnamon in Tanzania". ITC News.
11. (2011). "Taxonomic revision of ''Cinnamomum'' (''Lauraceae'') in Borneo". Blumea - Biodiversity, Evolution and Biogeography of Plants.
12. "Cinnamon". Department of Export Agriculture.
13. (2016). "Cinnamon". [[National Institutes of Health]].
14. (2011). "Orally Administrated Cinnamon Extract Reduces β-Amyloid Oligomerization and Corrects Cognitive Impairment in Alzheimer's Disease Animal Models". [[PLOS One]].