Also known as cassia, cassia cinnamon or baker’s cinnamon, cinnamon is a beloved culinary spice with a warm and sweet fragrance and flavor. It comes from the aromatic bark of a tropical tree that curls into tight, scroll-like quills as it dries.

Both Cinnamomum burmannii and C. cassia are considered cassia cinnamon, the most common cinnamon in the United States. Cassia cinnamon powder is a familiar and favorite ingredient found in baked goods and desserts, as well as savory dishes around the world. It is bolder and spicier than Ceylon cinnamon (C. verum), which some consider the “true” cinnamon.

Medically, cinnamon has antiseptic and anesthetic properties, and the powder can be dusted on minor cuts and scrapes for first aid. Herbalists recommend cinnamon to treat gastrointestinal disorders, and studies show that cinnamon can help regulate blood sugar.