Cinnamon

Botanical Name: Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume
English Name: Cinnamon
Common Name: Dalchini
Cinnamon is a small tropical evergreen tree which grows 1015 meters (32.849.2 feet) tall, belonging to the family Lauraceae. The two main varieties of cinnamon are cinnamomum cassia and cinnamomum zeylanicum, grown widely in Sri Lanka, India, Java, Sumatra, the West Indies, Brazil, Vietnam and Madagascar. Its inner bark is widely used as a spice and there are as many as 250 different varieties are found across the globe. Due to its distinct odour, it is widely used as an important ingredient of many mouth watering dishes of the world.
Because of its health benefits, aromatic properties and scarcity, cinnamon was more precious than gold in the ancient world.
USES :
It is used in cookery as a condiment and flavouring material.
Cinnamon is extensively used in cakes and other baked goods, milk and rice Puddings,chocolate dishes and fruit desserts, particularly apples and pears.
It is widely used as an aromatic spice in preparing curries and pilaus.
It may be used to spice mulled wines, creams and syrups.
It is a very good mouth freshener and is used in preparing chewing gums to stop bad breath.
It also finds uses in flavoured cereals and fruits, especially in USA.