Know your Cinnamon
Grades of Ceylon Cinnamon
Cinnamon sticks are graded according to their color, diameter and blemishes although they are produced in the same manner. Ceylon Cinnamon is mainly categorised into 4 major grades. They are Alba, Continental, Mexican and Hamburg. The based for the categorization is the diameter of the cinnamon sticks (quills). Alba cinnamon is graded as the highest standard of Cinnamon in the world with a quill diameter of 6mm.
Alba Cinnamon
Alba Cinnamon is considered as the prized grade of Cinnamon in the world. It is prepared by taking the finest and thinnest inner bark of Ceylon cinnamon tree and it is very rare. It’s slender and brittle with a sweet taste and a pleasant aroma gives a powerful flavor making Alba cinnamon the most expensive grade of Cinnamon in the World.Â
The diameter varies between 6mm - 7mm (closer to the size of a pencil). The cinnamon comes in a very light golden-brown color. The Alba sticks have minimal foxing, which is a term used to describe reddish-brown warps caused by dampness. The more foxing there is, the lower the quality of the Cinnamon.
C5 Special
C5 Special grade cinnamon is recognized as the second highest quality cinnamon grade in the world and is popular in the European market. The diameter of the C5 Special varies between 7mm - 9mm. The foxing is minimal (<10%) in the C5 special grade cinnamon.
C5
C5 comes as the third highest quality cinnamon type in the world.. C5 grade of cinnamon is sweet in taste and deep yellow in color. The Diameter varies between 10mm - 12mm and the foxing is minimal (<10%)Â in the C5 grade cinnamon as well.
C4
In comparison to Alba, C5 Special and C5 the C4 grade quality is comparatively low. However, C4 grade is widely in demand for its smoothness and fragrance which comes in a pale yellow color. The diameter would vary from 13mm - 14mm and upto 15% foxing can be seen in C4 grade cinnamon.
M5 Special
M5 grade can be identified as the best quality of cinnamon out of all the Mexican cinnamon grades. The quills are golden brown with a slight reddish texture and have a diameter that varies from 16mm - 18mm.
Hamburg (H1)
H1 grade cinnamon is the most popular grade of cinnamon among buyers and is mostly used in South American countries. The Hamburg grade Cinnamon (H1,H2,H3) is comparatively thicker in size and foxing can be seen as high as 50% of the cinnamon quills.Â
In summary whatever the grade of Ceylon cinnamon is consumed, cinnamon is a great addition to your diet which gives a lot of health benefits. We at Ceylonify brings you nothing but the finest quality Cinnamon from Ceylon.