Experience the authentic aroma and gentle sweetness of Ceylon Cinnamon, also known as βTrue Cinnamonβ, sourced directly from the lush forests of Sri Lanka. Unlike the common Cassia cinnamon, Ceylon cinnamon sticks are softer, lighter in color, and feature a complex, delicate flavor profile that’s highly prized by chefs, bakers, and wellness enthusiasts alike.
πΏ Main Categories of Ceylon Cinnamon Grades
Ceylon Cinnamon is broadly divided into:
- Alba
- Continental
- Mexican
- Hamburg
- Quillings & Cuttings (byproducts or broken pieces)
πΆ 1. Alba Grade (Premium Grade)
- Diameter: Less than 6 mm
- Characteristics: Finest and thinnest quills; smooth texture; high aroma and flavor.
- Price: Highest grade and most expensive.
- Use: Premium culinary applications, export market, gourmet retail.
π· 2. Continental Grades
These are divided into C5, C4, C3, C2, and C1 based on diameter:
Grade | Diameter | Quality |
---|---|---|
C5 | 6β10 mm | Thin, light, high aroma |
C4 | 10β13 mm | Good quality, common for export |
C3 | 13β16 mm | Slightly thicker, moderate aroma |
C2 | 16β19 mm | Lower quality than C3 |
C1 | >19 mm | Lowest among Continental grades |
- Use: Mid to high-end culinary use and export.
πΈ 3. Mexican Grades
Grade | Diameter | Notes |
---|---|---|
M5 | 16β19 mm | Thicker than C grades |
M4 | 19β21 mm | More coarse texture |
M3 | >21 mm | Least refined in this category |
- Use: Mostly for the Mexican market, local and regional use.
πΉ 4. Hamburg Grades
- Very coarse, thick bark rolls with less emphasis on appearance.
- Primarily used for bulk industrial use, oil extraction, and grinding into powder.
- Grades: H1, H2, H3
π 5. Quillings and Cuttings (Byproducts)
- Quillings No. 1: Small broken pieces from quill production (better aroma)
- Quillings No. 2: Inferior pieces, mixed with dust
- Cuttings: Leftover bark chips and coarse fragments
- Featherings: Pieces from shoots and small branches
- Use: Ground cinnamon, tea bags, extracts, and oil distillation.
π Summary Table
Category | Grade | Diameter (approx.) | Use |
---|---|---|---|
Alba | Alba | < 6 mm | Gourmet cooking, retail |
Continental | C5 β C1 | 6β>19 mm | Culinary/export |
Mexican | M5 β M3 | 16β>21 mm | Regional cooking |
Hamburg | H1 β H3 | >21 mm | Industrial |
Byproducts | Quillings, Cuttings | N/A | Powder, oil, tea |