That little bottle of cinnamon sugar you purchase is costing a bundle and it won't go far if you make many desserts or treats that call for cinnamon sugar. Most cinnamon in the little store bought jars, is Cassia bark, which is a member of the cinnamon family, but that is not the cinnamon considered to be true cinnamon. A good quality cinnamon is well over $20 per pound, which is calculated when it's manufactured and you are getting just an ounce or two in the bottle and that is likely a low grade Cassia cinnamon with additional fillers besides cinnamon and sugar.
True cinnamon is from Sri Lanka, known as Ceylon cinnamon. You'll find Ceylon in quality herb and spice stores. Ceylon cinnamon is known as Mexican Cinnamon, True Cinnamon and Ceylon. This is derived from the Cinnamomum Zeylanicum, Cinnamomum Verum, plant. True cinnamon is believed to help lower blood glucose levels and has been used medicinally throughout the ages, however laboratory tests have found no evidence that cinnamon is medically beneficial and in fact most Cassia cinnamon have high levels of Coumarin a substance known to cause liver damage. Ceylon cinnamon is the only cinnamon low in Coumarin, which is important if you are prone to liver issues. But note, as with all things, moderation is the key, and typically in these studies you would have to consume a whole bunch of cinnamon to be affected. If you have concerns about the use of cinnamon, consult your medical professional, they will know what is best for you and your specific dietary needs.
Making your own mixes, means you control what is actually in your cinnamon sugar and you will not be adding any fillers or preservatives to the finished product. You can purchase ground cinnamon in health food stores, health food sections of your grocery store, online sources and in bulk food outlets that will cost you pennies compared to what you are actually paying for the little bottles. In less than 30 seconds you can mix up a batch or a bunch to have on hand when you need it.
You could purchase cinnamon sticks (called quills) and grind your own if you have a good food chopper that can handle the bark of the cinnamon. Some cinnamon bark has been known to break the blades because of the thick layers of bark, so this may be best left to those with the proper equipment. That said, and corn grinder should work, since corn requires a grinder that can handle the harder substances. Grinding your own can save you some money on your budget if this is something you have time and interest in doing and already have the equipment needed. Ceylon Cinnamon is the softest, since it comes from the inner bark of the plant.
Cinnamon is used in Mexican Cocoa, and Mexico is the largest importer of Cinnamon in the world. In the Mediterranean, a Cinnamon tea is popular. Cinnamon is one of the ancient spices, known since 2000 BC. It was prized by the elite leaders and the merchants kept the cinnamon locations secret, in order to protect their monopoly. Cinnamon is known around the world and used in sweet recipes as well as savory, and usually used along with Cardamom.
For those that may have an allergy or sensitivity to Cinnamon, Cardamom is an alternative, and used in the same way as Cinnamon, though you may need to adjust recipes if using Cardamom to your own taste.
Below I have included alternative Cinnamon sugar and links to additional flavored sugars that you may enjoy.
What you need:
1/2 C. Granulated White Sugar (or sugar substitute*~~See Below)
2 Rounded T. Fresh Ground Cinnamon (more or less to taste)
Small Whisk
Mason jar with lid or Spice Jar with lid
Jar or bottle funnel
Bowl
Labels
Directions:
Whisk together the sugar and cinnamon until well incorporated. Using a funnel, pour into mason jars or spice jars, cap. label and store in the cupboard. Adjust the cinnamon to your own taste, using more or less than the above ratio.
Alternative Cinnamon Sugar
1/2 C. Coconut Palm Sugar
2 Rounded T. Fresh Ground Cinnamon
Directions:
Proceed as above. Store in air-tight containers in the cupboard or pantry.
Uses: Sprinkled on Fresh Fruit, French Toast, Toast, or whipped cream. Add to fruit for pies or to top a pie or dessert. Cinnamon rolls before rolling and slicing. Fried Apples or Fritters. Hot cooked Cereal. Cookies (ie: Snickerdoodles).
Note: For those that need to watch their glucose levels, Coconut Palm Sugar does not alter glucose for most individuals, however, only you will know by sampling a small amount or consulting your medical professional, whether Coconut Palm Sugar is a good alternative for you. It is a much healthier option than most artificial sweeteners, though, with 4 grams of carbohydrates per teaspoon, it is slightly lower than cane or beet sugar, so if you are reducing carbohydrates for dietary reasons, it may not be an option. It is naturally gluten free for those that are celiac or have chosen to reduce their gluten intake.
I have not detected a coconut taste or even smell of coconut; to me it tastes similar to a light brown sugar. with a similar smell. Coconut Palm Sugar can be found in most grocery outlets in the baking section or can be purchased online. I have seen it available in two different sizes in grocery stores, but there may be more options online.
It is important to note, that even artificial sweeteners that were supposed to be pulled from the market are still being used in combination with other artificial sweeteners, mainly to prevent the aftertaste associated with artificial sweeteners. When it comes to artificial, versus natural, I will take natural any day and use in moderation.
Tip: A spice jar with a top for sprinkling is handy when you only want a sprinkle on fruit or toast or whipped cream. A mason jar is handy when you need more sugar at once to spoon out for cinnamon rolls or other desserts.
Tip: Write on the label the measurements, so you can easily refill your jars as needed. This will be especially important if you are giving spice mixes as gifts.
For additional Flavored Sugars refer to the links below:
Vanilla Sugar:
justfowlingaround.weebly.com/sweets-treats-and-drinks/vanilla-sugar
Pumpkin Spice Sugar:
justfowlingaround.weebly.com/sweets-treats-and-drinks/pumpkin-spice-sugar
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