Cinnamon in Mexico

[shelora]

I understand that the cinnamon used in Mexico is Ceylon cinnamon (not Sri Lanka). I cart big bags of it home every year. It is much more aromatic and with a softer bark than the usual variety available up here, is easily ground.

But one thing I have forgotten to ask in the market is whether it is imported from Sri Lanka or is it being grown in Mexico.

Anyone know?

[esperanza]

I will ask the spice vendor next time I'm at the tianguis. If I can get there tomorrow morning, I will be back here posthaste.

[shelora]

I will ask the spice vendor next time I'm at the tianguis.  If I can get there tomorrow morning, I will be back here posthaste.

←

Thanks Esperanza. I knew someone who could help me would surface eventually.

I'll wait patiently for your answer.

S

Edited February 22, 2006 by shelora (log)

[Caarina]

Shelora,

I'm glad I'm not the only one with cinnamon on the brain right now. Over the past few days, I have been making a lot of Greek recipes. Cinnamon has been used in several of the recipes.

After having the differences between cassia and ceylon cinnamon it drilled into my head bc of my background in Mexican cooking, I'm asking myself which one? The flavor profiles are quite different My books don't tell me, and I don't have a Greek grandma to ask.

If anyone knows... please advise!

Caarina

[shelora]

Shelora,

I'm glad I'm not the only one with cinnamon on the brain right now.  Over the past few days, I have been making a lot of Greek recipes.  Cinnamon has been used in several of the recipes. 

After having the differences between cassia and ceylon cinnamon it drilled into my head bc of my background in Mexican cooking,  I'm asking myself which one?  The flavor profiles are quite different  My books don't tell me, and I don't have a Greek grandma to ask. 

If anyone knows... please advise!

Caarina

←

After buying the Ceylon cinnamon in Mexico, I use it for every recipe calling for the stuff regardless of ethnic origin. I grind up a batch to shake on dishes as well - it's soooo good.

That other stuff works only as a stirstick for a hot rum toddy or hot apple cider.

Good question though.

Edited February 23, 2006 by shelora (log)

[Jay Francis]

I was in a market in Orizaba and remarked to a vendor how terrific the Mexican cinnamon was. He said, "Well, you know, it's all imported from Ceylon. We don't grow it here."

[RosalindD]

Ceylon Cinnamon is definitely the preferred cinnamon of Mexico and England. It has a citrus overtone and a beautiful, rich color. Ceylon is not as strong as Cassia nor is it as sweet.

[BarbaraY]

When I see cookbooks that call for cinnamon in their recipes for Mexican dishes I automatically use canela which I buy in the supermarket. Nice thing about living in CA is that a lot of Mexican ingredients are readily avilable even in small rural towns.

30 miles away is a town with a large Mexican population that has almost everything one would want.

[C. sapidus]

On 10/12/2024 at 2:55 AM, liuzhou said:

Why Mexico has such a large appetite for cinnamon, I don't know. But it certainly seems they want the real thing.

 

 

 

I don't know either. One web site states that "Mexico inherited this Ceylon cinnamon tradition from Spain" and that these cinnamon sticks are "imported almost exclusively from the island of Sri Lanka."

 

Cinnamon vogue - Mexican cinnamon sticks

 

I do know that the Latino markets that I frequent offer "canela," which is Ceylon cinnamon. Quite inexpensive, too.