Cinnamon: Sweet Sensation

Cinnamomum zeylanicum / Cinnamomum cassia • Sanskrit: Tvak • Hindi: Dalchini

Cinnamon is called tvak in Sanskrit, which literally means skin. You see, cinnamon is obtained by peeling off the sweet inner bark, or skin, of the tree- thus tvak. Like many other chai spices, cinnamon’s warming nature aids digestion.

Cinnamon is traditionally used for a variety of stomach and intestinal imbalances including :

• Indigestion
• Nausea
• Gas
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea

As a home remedy, tvak can be made into a tea or added to food to improve circulation and relieve a general feeling of coldness.

In Ayurveda, cinnamon is used medicinally as a general tonic for the organs and to increase vitality. Cinnamon-

• Alleviates menstrual pain, abdominal cramping and muscle spasms
• Warms the internal body and kidneys
• Strengthens the adrenals and the heart
• Purifies the blood
• Acts as an expectorant on the lungs
• Useful for coughs, congestion and asthma
• Considered an aphrodisiac and is used to alleviate male sexual debility

There is a significant difference between what is called “true cinnamon” or “Ceylon cinnamon” and its relative cassia bark, commonly referred to as cinnamon in North America. True cinnamon has a sweet, subtle flavor, while cassia’s taste is strong, pungent and even peppery. One can identify Ceylon cinnamon by its soft, tan, multi-layered stick that is easy to break up by hand. Cassia, on the other hand, is very hard and reddish brown in color and consists of a single thick quill of bark.

The flavor of cassia cinnamon can be overpowering and can easily dominate a masala chai. Using just a little as an accent, however, adds a wonderful taste. I prefer the delicate taste of Ceylon cinnamon in masala chai. When adding cinnamon to chai, it is better to use the stick than the powder. The stick will give your chai a richer taste and prevent it from becoming “muddy,” which happens when fine cinnamon powder does not thoroughly strain out.

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