Cinnamon is a spice that originated in Sri Lanka and has been used for thousands of years. It comes from the cinnamon tree. Cinnamon is commonly used in baking and cooking for its sweet flavor. There are two main types of cinnamon - Ceylon cinnamon, which is more expensive and sweet-tasting, and cassia cinnamon, which is more common. In addition to uses in food, cinnamon has various potential health benefits such as lowering cholesterol and blood sugar. It is sold both in stick and powdered form and can flavor foods like coffee cakes, lattes, oatmeal, and more.

1. Cinnamon
By Danielle Bilder

2. Introduction to Cinnamon
Many of us know cinnamon as the spice that we buy in the small plastic
bottles at the supermarket. We only think of cinnamon as a spice we
use in coffee cake, or lattes. However, cinnamon has many more uses
than just to be used in food! This PowerPoint presentation will take us
through the different origins, as well as uses and recipes that cinnamon
is used for!

3. So Where Does Cinnamon Come From?!
• Cinnamon is native to Sri Lanka
• Dates back in Chinese writing to 2800 B.C.
• Arabic term amomon, meaning fragrant spice plant.
• Cinnamomum verum is the plant that cinnamon derives from. This is
commonly known as the “cinnamon tree”.

4. Uses in Cooking
•Cinnamon is one of the world's most
popular spices for baking.
• It is used in recipes for flavor, as well as a garnish for certain dishes.
• There are two different forms of cinnamon: sticks and powdered

5. Facts
• There are two types of cinnamon: Ceylon cinnamon, which is expensive
and has a sweet taste, and Cassia cinnamon, the less expensive variety, is
the most common cinnamon sold in supermarkets in North America
• The word cinnamon comes from the Greek kinnamomon.
• In the book of Exodus, God instructs Moses to make a holy anointing oil
out of cinnamon, cassia, olive oil, myrrh, and hemp.
• There was an ancient belief in something called the Cinnamon Bird that
supposedly lived in Arabia and used cinnamon to build its nests.
• Pliny the Elder wrote that the Cinnamon Bird did not exist and was a tale
invented to raise the price of cinnamon.

6. Continued
• In Ancient Egypt, cinnamon was used in the embalming process.
• The Egyptians also used cinnamon medicinally and as a flavoring in food
and beverages.
• Cinnamaldehyde a compound in the bark gives cinnamon its scent and
flavor
• Many lip glosses and lipsticks use cinnamon to make their products "lip
enhancers" since the cinnamaldehyde actually causes swelling of the lips.
• At one time, ancient Egyptians believed that cinnamon was to be more
valuable than gold.
• Two teaspoons of cinnamon has 12 calories
• Cinnamon, Chili powder and salt are the most common seasonings in
American homes.

7. Medicinal Uses
• Many people like to make cinnamon tea which is purported to have medicinal
qualities such as helping boost brain power, aiding in digestion, and helping to
keep blood less sticky.
• In addition, cinnamon has fiber, calcium and manganese so drinking it can give
health, as well as taste buds a boost.
• Some research has found that a particular type of cinnamon, cassia cinnamon,
may lower blood sugar in people with diabetes.
• Studies of cinnamon for lowering cholesterol and treating yeast infections in
people with HIV have been inconclusive.
• Lab studies have found that cinnamon may reduce inflammation, have
antioxidant effects, and fight bacteria. But it’s unclear what the implications are
for people.
• Cinnamon usually causes no side effects.

8. 10 Health Benefits of Cinnamon
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Lower cholesterol
Regulates blood sugar
Helps stop yeast infections
Prevents cancer and leukemia/lymphoma cancer cells
Has an anti-clotting effect
Relieves arthritis
Prevents bacterial growth and food spoilage
Smelling cinnamon boosts cognitive function and memory
Fights the E. coli bacteria
Great source of manganese, fiber, iron, and calcium
Source: http://www.healthdiaries.com/eatthis/10-health-benefits-of-cinnamon.html

9. Forms That It Is Sold In
• As mentioned in the previous slide, there are two types of cinnamon:
Ceylon cinnamon, which is expensive and has a sweet taste, and
Cassia cinnamon, the less expensive variety, the most common
cinnamon sold in supermarkets in North America
• There are two different forms of cinnamon: sticks and powdered

10. Foods That It Compliments
• Cinnamon Buns
• Coffee Cake
• Scones
• Churros
• Apple Crisp/Pie
• Pumpkin Pie
• Fruit Pastries/Danish
• Oatmeal
• Sauces
• Donuts
• Lattes and other hot
beverages
• Cinnamon Raisin
Bread/Bagels
• Cinnamon Pinwheels
• Snickerdoodles
• Cinnamon Bread
• Stews

11. Thank You!
Thank you for watching!
I will now take any questions!
Copyright © 2013
Danielle Bilder
Manalapan High School