Cinnamon is a versatile and very popular spice in the culinary world, particularly in the Middle East and the USA. It is often used to add a sweet touch to pastries, such as cakes, biscuits, tarts, compotes, creams and yogurts. However, it can also be used to enhance the flavor of many savory dishes, such as red meats, poultry, vegetables and starchy foods. In some countries, such as North Africa, India, Greece and Eastern countries, it is often used in savory dishes, including tagines and couscous spices.
Cinnamon is an easy spice to use and can be found in different forms, including powder, stick, or crushed. Whole sticks offer a subtle, diffuse scent, making them an ideal choice for saucy dishes and infusions. Ground cinnamon, on the other hand, gives an intense scent and mixes easily with foods.
To reduce the cinnamon sticks to powder, simply put them in a blender or coffee grinder. You can also grate them with a small grater. To intensify their aroma, you can heat them in a pan over high heat, while stirring them to roast them.
Cinnamon is also a great ingredient for salads. It can be added directly to vinaigrette or to mixed salads to add a touch of subtle and captivating flavor. It is also an integral part of many salad spice mixes, which often contain herbs and aromatics.
In addition to its use in desserts and savory dishes, cinnamon can also be used to flavor teas and infusions, as well as hot drinks, such as hot chocolate or mulled wine . If you're looking for inspiration on how to use cinnamon, you could try our Christmas tea, spiced rooibos or organic chai green tea, all of which contain cinnamon.
For those who love the taste of this fragrant bark, it is even possible to chew cinnamon sticks like you chew licorice sticks. This can be an excellent pick-me-up when feeling tired.
Finally, if you want to add a touch of Christmas spice to your dishes and desserts, you can try making your own Christmas spice sugar by mixing cinnamon with other typical Christmas spices, such as ginger , vanilla, clove and star anise. Simply place the spice mixture in a jar filled with sugar and let it sit for a few days for the sugar to soak up all the flavors of these Christmas spices.