Scientific Name: Cinnamomum verum
Bahasa Indonesian: Kayu Manis
Batak: Kulit Manis
Basic Information:
Cinnamon is an evergreen tree characterized by oval-shaped leaves, thick bark, and a berry fruit. When harvesting the spice, the bark and leaves are the primary parts of the plant used. The 2 most popular types of cinnamon are: Ceylon (also called “true cinnamon”) and Cassia.
Cinnamon is brown in colour and has a delicately fragrant aroma and a warm sweet flavour. It is used mainly as an aromatic condiment and flavouring additive in a wide variety of cuisines, sweet and savoury dishes, breakfast cereals, snackfoods, tea and traditional foods. The aroma and flavour of cinnamon derive from its essential oil and principal component, cinnamaldehyde, as well as numerous other constituents, including eugenol.
Health Benefits:
- In a 100g reference amont, Cinnamon is a rich source of calcium (100% of the Daily Value, DV), iron (64% DV), and vitamin K (30% DV)
- Cinnamon contains large amounts of highly potent polyphenol antioxidants
- It may improve some key risk factors for heart disease, including cholesterol, triglycerides and blood pressure
- Cinnamon has been shown to reduce fasting blood sugar levels, having a potent anti-diabetic effect at 1–6 grams or 0.5–2 teaspoons per day
- The spice has been shown to lead to various improvements for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease in animal studies
- Cinnamaldehyde has antifungal and antibacterial properties, which may reduce infections and help fight tooth decay and bad breath
- Test-tube studies have shown that cinnamon can help fight HIV-1, the main type of HIV virus in humans
Fun Facts:
- In 2016, Indonesia and China produced 75% of the world’s supply of cinnamon
- In Ancient Egypt, cinnamon was a highly prized ingredient that was at one point valued more than gold, much in the way saffron is today. It was used for food, drinks and even to embalm mummies
- The biggest cinnamon bun ever was a whopping 118.8kg and was created in Washington in 2006
- You can lighten your hair with cinnamon. Mixing a few spoonfuls of cinnamon into a paste — with honey or actual conditioner — will lighten your hair once applied and allowed sunshine to get at it
Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinnamon
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/10-proven-benefits-of-cinnamon
https://www.foodbeast.com/news/7-unique-facts-that-you-didnt-know-about-cinnamon/