Welcome to the Celtnet Guide to Spices entry for Cassia (Cinnamomum aromaticum)

Spice Guide Entry For: Cassia



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Cassia


This is the description page for Cassia (Cinnamomum aromaticum) and includes a description as well as an image, if available and a selection of recipes from this site that relates to the spice: Cassia.

Cassia Bark

Cassia (also sometimes known as Indonesian cinnamon) is the bark of Cinnamomum aromaticum (syn Cinnamomum cassia) is an evergreen tree native to southern China and mainland Southeast Asia west to Myanmar. Like its close relative, Cinnamon (see below), it is used primarily for its aromatic bark, which is used as a spice.

The Cassia tree is a member of the Lauraceae (laurel) family and grows to 10–15 m tall, with greyish bark, and hard elongated leaves 10-15 cm long, that have a decidedly reddish colour when young. Whole branches and small trees are harvested for cassia bark, unlike the small shoots used in the production of Cinnamon; this gives cassia bark a much thicker and rougher texture than that of true cinnamon. Cassia provides a much stronger flavour than cinnamon but because it is formed from the whole bark it is much tougher and as a result is far more difficult to render into a powder than cinnamon.

Cassia bark (both powdered and in whole, or 'stick' form) is used as a flavouring agent, for candies, desserts, baked goods, and meat. Due to its stronger flavour it is specified in many curry recipes, where cinnamon is less suitable and is an essential ingredient of true Chinese curries. It should be noted that almost all 'cinnamon' sold in North America is actually cassia and not true cinnamon. In Europe it is more diffiicult to find cassia, though it is now becoming available in more speciazied spiece and wholefood shops. It is also possible to make a tea from the bark and a good combination is to make an infusion from black Indian tea, cassis, star anise, green cardamom and lemon peel.


Recipes Utilizing Cassia

Goan Lamb Xacutti
Java Chicken
Balti Garam Masala




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This is the description page for Cassia and includes a description of the plant and the parts used as spice, as well as an image, if available, or what the spice looks like and a selection of recipes from this site that reletes to the spice: Cassia.



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