5 Reasons to Have Cinnamon Sticks On Hand

Cinnamon is a very popular spice when it comes to the holidays. It can be used to add a touch of fall flavor to lattes, cakes and apple dumplings, but did you know that cinnamon sticks can be used for much more than that? Cinnamon is an extremely multi-use spice that can be used in ways that you wouldn't expect. The health benefits of cinnamon also put it in the top 5 antioxidant rich spices in the world. We put together a list of ways that cinnamon can be used, not only in your food, but also around the house. We like to think of them as cinnamon hacks that add a touch of spice wherever they are used.

First, let's talk a little bit about what cinnamon is and where it comes from. Cinnamon is a spice that comes from the inner bark of over a dozen trees, but only a few of them are grown for commercial use. Cinnamon can be used whole, in chips or ground depends on how it will be used.

Spice up your morning routine – Cinnamon can be used in your morning oatmeal or on toast. Studies show that consuming ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon on a daily basis can help lower bad cholesterol! If that isn't a healthy way to start your day, I don't know what is. Cinnamon also has natural antifungal properties which help preserve food, so your leftovers with cinnamon last a little longer than their non-cinnamon neighbors.

Food preservative – Cinnamon isn't just for preserving your breakfast foods. As a natural preservative, cinnamon will help preserve any meal you make so feel free to add a pinch and experiment with the complex and unique flavor profiles.

Add to Curries and Other Savory Dishes – Curries and savory dishes are all about balance. Heat, sweet, sour, and mellow flavor profiles just to name a few. Even though cinnamon is typically used in baking, it is also a helpful element in many savory dishes, as it can add an unexpected kick.

Drink Some Health Benefits – As the Holidays approach, you may find cider mulled with cinnamon sticks, but there's no need to stop there. As a naturally delicious flavoring that's salt and sugar free, take the chance to experiment with adding cinnamon sticks to your drinks, or use them as a stir. Coffee, tea and wine are excellent drinks to add cinnamon to.

Homemade Body Scrub – As the dry winter months approach, there is a way to keep your skin smooth and moisturized without running to the grocery store for some new face wash or lotion – a homemade, naturally good for you face or body scrub. This works best when you use Ceylon cinnamon sticks, because they are easier to crush to make your homemade exfoliate. Simply add these crushed cinnamon sticks to the other ingredients in a homemade face scrub and feel the healthy and natural results (it might even be less expensive, too!)  

These five tips only begin to scratch the surface of the ways you can use cinnamon around the house, so don't be afraid to get creative.


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