Deutsch: Zimt, Indian: Karuvapatta
Cinnamon is a spice obtained from the inner bark of several trees from the genus Cinnamomum that is used in both sweet and savoury foods. While Cinnamomum verum is sometimes considered to be "true cinnamon", most cinnamon in international commerce is derived from related species, which are also referred to as "cassia" to distinguish them from "true cinnamon".
In the food context, cinnamon refers to a spice obtained from the inner bark of several species of trees from the Cinnamomum family. It has a warm, sweet, and slightly spicy flavor and aroma that make it a popular ingredient in many dishes. Here are some examples of how cinnamon is used in cooking:
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Cinnamon Rolls: A sweet pastry that is made by rolling a dough with cinnamon and sugar and baked until golden brown.
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Apple Pie: A classic dessert that combines sweet apple filling with cinnamon and baked in a flaky crust.
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Chai Tea: A spiced tea made with black tea, milk, cinnamon, ginger, and other spices.
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Cinnamon Sugar Toast: A simple breakfast dish made by toasting bread and sprinkling it with cinnamon and sugar.
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Moroccan Tagine: A North African stew made with a blend of warm spices including cinnamon, cumin, and turmeric.
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Snickerdoodle Cookies: A type of sugar cookie that is rolled in cinnamon sugar before baking.
Other spices that have a similar taste to cinnamon include:
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Allspice: A spice made from the dried berries of the Pimenta dioica tree. It has a similar warm and spicy flavor as cinnamon.
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Nutmeg: A spice made from the seed of the Myristica fragrans tree. It has a warm, sweet, and slightly nutty flavor.
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Cloves: A spice made from the flower buds of the Syzygium aromaticum tree. It has a warm and slightly bitter taste with a hint of sweetness.
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Ginger: A root that has a warm and spicy flavor that is similar to cinnamon. It is commonly used in Asian and Indian cuisine.
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Cardamom: A spice that has a warm and slightly sweet flavor. It is commonly used in Indian and Middle Eastern cuisine.
These spices can be used interchangeably in some recipes that call for cinnamon, but they may not give the same exact taste and aroma that cinnamon provides.