The Complete Ceylon Cinnamon FAQ: Your Top 20 Questions Answered

Let’s be real: "cinnamon" isn’t just one spice. What’s sold in most stores is Cassia—a bold, cheap imposter. True Ceylon cinnamon is a delicate art form, born in Sri Lanka and loved by chefs/healers for millennia.

At DRUERA, we’ve sourced only Ceylon cinnamon since 2005. This FAQ? Your no-fluff guide to:

• Spotting fakes
• Using it safely
• Unlocking its magic

Table of Contents:

1. The Basics
2. Health & Safety
3. The DRUERA Difference
4. Usage & Storage

Section 1: The Basics

1. What is Ceylon Cinnamon?

Ceylon cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum) isn’t just "spice"—it’s thin, layered bark hand-rolled into quills. Grown only in Sri Lanka, it’s:

• Color: Pale golden-brown
• Texture: Papery and crumbly
• Flavor: Citrusy-sweet, not fiery
• Safety: 350x less coumarin than Cassia

"Think of it as cinnamon’s champagne. It has been grown, harvested, and processed by hand in a very special way for generations in Sri Lanka."
— Mike de Livera, DRUERA COO.

Learn more here how to identify “true cinnamon” from Ceylon. 

2. What makes Ceylon different from Cassia Cinnamon?

 

Think of them as distant cousins—similar names, completely different characters. Ceylon looks like a layered cigar. Cassia is hollow inside. Pro tip: Snap a quill. Ceylon crumbles; Cassia snaps like twigs. Here’s why Ceylon stands apart:

The Flavor Breakdown:

Ceylon: Imagine steeping orange zest in warm honey. It’s delicate, complex, and lifts dishes without dominating. Perfect for:

• fruit desserts
• Custards
• Chai tea

Cassia: Tastes like burnt wood with pepper. It’s blunt, one-note, and overpowers:

• Masks vanilla in baking
• Turns your coffee cup bitter
• Flattens subtle sauces

"Cassia is hot sauce. Ceylon is aged wine—each sip reveals new layers."
— Mike de Livera, DRUERA Founder

Safety First:

Cassia’s high coumarin makes it risky for daily use. Ceylon? You’d need many tablespoons daily to near unsafe levels.

See the showdown: Ceylon vs. Cassia: Full Comparison

9.  What Does Ceylon Cinnamon Taste Like? 

Close your eyes and take a sniff. Unlike, your grocery store cinnamon (read Cassai), Ceylon cinnamon unfolds in layers:

• First Note: You’ll feel bright citrus zest (similar to a tangerine peel)
• Mid-Palate: Next comes warm honey drizzled over vanilla
• Finish: Finally, you enjoy a bit of freshness like in fresh-cut flowers

Unlike Cassia’s one-note heat, Ceylon dances—it’s subtle, sophisticated, never overpowering. 

It’s why Michelin chefs treasure it:

"Cassia bullies other flavors. Ceylon elevates them—like a backstage maestro."
— Pastry Chef Elena Rodriguez

Perfect Pairings:

• Crème brûlée: Enhances vanilla’s creaminess
• Chai tea: Lets cardamom and ginger shine
• Moroccan tagines: Melds with saffron/apricots

Why It Matters:

That delicate complexity? It comes from:

• Young bark (no woody bitterness)
• Slow natural drying (essential oils develop fully)
• Zero fillers (just pure, layered quills)

Taste the difference: DRUERA’s Single-Origin Ceylon

Forget "spicy"—this is honeyed sophistication:

• Notes: Orange zest + vanilla + faint clove
• Magic: Enhances without overpowering
• Best for: Custards, chai, fruit desserts

"Cassia shouts. Ceylon whispers—and lingers."

What’s Better: Cinnamon Powder or Quills?

• Quills: Grind as needed for full potency → preserve freshness, maximum flavor, and essential oils (last 2+ years)
• Powder: Convenient but fades in 6 - 12 months (oxidizes faster)

Use Cases:

• Quills: Steep in tea or coffee, mulled wine, broth
• Powder: Baking, oatmeal, smoothies

Try both: Quills | Powder

DRUERA recommends quills if you use cinnamon regularly or want maximum aroma.

Section 2: Health & Safety

3. Is Ceylon Cinnamon Safer than Regular Cinnamon?

Yes—Here’s Why. Cassia’s high coumarin can damage your liver if you eat it daily. Ceylon? You’d need many tablespoons daily to risk it. Science:

• Safe limit: 0.1mg coumarin/kg body weight/day
• Ceylon: 0.02 % coumarin → 1 tsp = 0.06 mg. It’s totally safe for daily consumption. 
• Cassia: Up to 7% → 1 tsp = up to 18 mg. Use it with caution in very tiny quantities (like 1 pinch per day max). 

Deep dive: Coumarin Levels in Cinnamon Explained

7. What are the Health Benefits of Cinnamon?

Studies suggest it may support:

• Blood sugar balance (improves insulin sensitivity) (NIH)
• Anti-inflammatory effects (WebMD)
• Heart health (lowers LDL cholesterol)

Our Disclaimer:

"DRUERA cinnamon is food—not medicine. Never replace prescriptions with spices. Always consult your doctor."

8. Can I take Ceylon Cinnamon daily?

Absolutely—it’s uniquely safe for daily use. Thanks to its ultra-low coumarin (0.02%), For personalized guidance, use our daily tolerable intake calculator.

Calculate your dose with our Safe Cinnamon Intake Calculator. 

Enter your weight for a custom dose.

Remember: Even water is unsafe in excess. Moderation keeps wellness simple.

18. Does Cinnamon Help with Diabetes or Weight Loss?

Research shows potential benefits—but never replacements for medical treatment:

• Blood Sugar Support:
  A 2005 meta-analysis found cinnamon may improve insulin sensitivity. Not a cure, but a complementary tool.
• Weight Loss? Unproven:
  Zero evidence it burns fat alone. It may curb sugar cravings indirectly.

Critical Notes:

✅ Can support healthy diets/meds (ask your doctor first)
❌ Never quit prescriptions for cinnamon
⚠️ Cassia is risky for diabetics (high coumarin → liver strain)

15. Can I give Ceylon Cinnamon to my pets?

Small amounts of true cinnamon are generally safe for dogs and cats as an occasional treat. Here’s how to protect your furry friends:

Safe Use

• Dose: A pinch (<1/8 tsp). Mix it into food.
• Benefits: Freshens breath, mild effects related to anti-inflammation. 
• Best Form: DRUERA’s powder (no woody quill fragments)

NEVER USE CASSIA: Its high coumarin content is the cause of liver failure, vomiting, and organ damage in pets.

Toxic: >1 tsp for cats/small dogs → diarrhea, low blood sugar, tremors.

Symptoms to Watch: Vomiting, lethargy, excessive thirst. In the case of any of those, seek vet immediately.

"Pets metabolize spices differently. Ceylon in tiny amounts may help, but Cassia is like chocolate—strictly forbidden."

— Dr. Priya Sharma, DVM

Golden Rule: Always consult your vet. 

Section 3: The DRUERA Difference

4. Where does Druera source its Cinnamon?

We work exclusively with one multigenerational farm in Kalawana, Sri Lanka—no brokers, no traders, no bulk blends. Here’s why this matters:

• Traceability: Every batch is soil-to-jar traceable (ask for our harvest date!).
• Quality Control: Identical growing/processing methods since 2005 = consistent flavor.
• Ethics: Fair wages fund education for farmers’ children.

"We’ve shared monsoon lunches with these families. Their craft is their legacy to be honored."
— Mike de Livera

5. How do you test your Cinnamon for safety and quality?

Every batch faces 3 safety gauntlets:

1. Lead testing: 0.00–0.21 ppm (FDA limit: 2 ppm)
2. Heavy metals: Screened for arsenic, cadmium and mercury
3. Purity: No fillers, sawdust, or Cassia

Proof: See Our Lab Reports 

6. Is your Ceylon Cinnamon organic?

While uncertified, our practices exceed organic standards:

• Zero pesticides & weedicides: Birds/frogs handle pests
• No synthetic fertilizer: Compost only
• Soil tests: Our soil is our greatest asset, and we nurture and protect our soil for future generations.

Why No Certification?

Small farms save $12,000/year skipping bureaucratic paperwork—funds reinvested in:

• Fair wage
• School scholarships
• Solar-power in drying sheds to have a zero carbon footprint.

"Organic certifications feed agencies. Our methods feed communities."
— Mike de Livera

12. How Do You Process Your Cinnamon? 

1. Hand-peeled: Bark stripped with bronze rod and knives
2. Shade-dried: 4–7 days (no ovens!)
3. Pin-mill ground: Low heat → oils intact
4. Shipped fresh: No warehouse hibernation for months 

Why it matters: Heat = dead flavor.

17. Why does DRUERA Cinnamon Cost More? 

You’re buying craftsmanship, not a commodity.

Section 4: Usage & Storage

10. How do I store Ceylon Cinnamon for maximum freshness?

DO:

• Airtight glass jars
• Cool, dark pantry.
• Freeze powder (up to 2 years)

DON’T:

• Plastic bags (trap moisture)
• Sunlight (kills aroma)

13. Is DRUERA Cinnamon gluten-free and vegan?

Absolutely, guaranteed! We take allergen safety as seriously as our cinnamon quality. Here’s why you can trust every sprinkle:

• 100% Gluten-Free: Processed in a dedicated facility with zero cross-contamination risk.
• Vegan by Nature: Pure, unadulterated bark—no additives, fillers, or animal products.
• Ethical Bonus: Our sustainable farming protects Sri Lanka’s biodiversity (no habitat disruption).

14. Can I use Ceylon Cinnamon in cooking and baking?

Yes, definitely! Here are some ideas for you: 

• Sweet: Cinnamon rolls from frozen dough, oatmeal
• Savory: Curries, Moroccan tagines
• Drinks: Golden milk, chai

19. How do I know I’m getting true Cinnamon from Ceylon?

Quills of this cinnamon are fragile, paper-thin. They look like cigars or scrolls with dozens of soft layers. They snap easily into powdery fragments and smell subtly sweet like honey and citrus blossoms.

Avoid Cassia imposters, which are hard, single-layer tubes (like tree bark). They are dark reddish-brown. They smell pungent and spicy, snap cleanly like twigs, and lack the delicate complexity of true cinnamon.

16. How long will shipping take?

3–7 business days. We send your order via FedEx, UPS, or DHL (150 countries). Track real-time updates from Colombo to your doorstep. We use no warehouses: Direct from our grinding facility to your plate for maximum freshness.

Feel free to use our shipping rate calculator to find out costs/delivery availability.

20. Can I return or exchange a product if I’m not happy?

100% satisfaction or your money back—no tricks.

• Timeline: 30 days from delivery
• Process: Email sales@druera.com → prepaid label → refund in 72 hours
• Policy: Even opened bags qualify (we trust you).

Final Thoughts: Beyond the Spice Rack

True Ceylon cinnamon isn’t a flavor—it’s a craft preserved over centuries. At DRUERA, we protect that legacy with:

• Single-farm transparency
• Obsessive freshness
• Safety above profits

Ready to taste the difference?

👉 Shop DRUERA’s Cinnamon

 

P.S. Questions left? Our team answers emails in <2 hours. ✉️