Although, Cinnamon and Cassia are closely related but they are not the same. They belong to two different plants and have different nutritional and health benefits. Cinnamon is native to Sri Lanka and comes from the plant Cinnamomum zeylanicum. Another name of Cinnamon is Cinnamomum verum, which means- true Cinnamon. It is a spice that is obtained from the inner bark of the tree. Cinnamon is the inner bark of a tropical evergreen tree. Cinnamon bark has great fragrance and warm taste. It has number of medicinal properties and helps to treat many diseases and conditions.

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The term “cassia” is not related to true cinnamon but to other species of cinnamon such as Cinnamomum cassia and Cinnamomum burmannii. Cassia is not as rich in flavour as true cinnamon. Cassia is much thicker and rougher than true cinnamon. While only small branches are used in the production of cinnamon, for cassia whole branches of the small trees are harvested. True cinnamon, for its quality, is much more expensive than cassia. However, both true cinnamon and cassia belong to the same laurel family and genus Cinnamomum. Both of these are good for the blood sugar regulation. Mostly cassia is used as a flavouring agent especially in candies, baked goods or meat and occasionally used as a spice.

Coumarins are natural plant components that can be found both in the cinnamon and cassia. But the levels of coumarins are different in cinnamon and cassia. While cinnamon has low level of coumarins but cassia contains much higher level of coumarins. Coumarins contain anticoagulant properties which are good for the health and prevent or retard the clotting of blood. But heavy intake of coumarins for the long period of time can be harmful for the health. So it is advisable not to take large amounts of the cassia cinnamons.

Cassia is much thicker and coarser than true cinnamon. Cinnamon is thin and can easily be made into powder. Because cassia sticks are extremely hard, it is very difficult to grind them into powder. Color of the cassia is dark brown whereas cinnamon comes in light brown color. The inner filling of cassia is just like hollow tube but cinnamon filled like cigars.

Cassia or cassia cinnamon should be consumed in limitation. It is not harmful if it is used occasionally in the diet. But people who love cinnamon and consume large amounts of cinnamon should go for plant Cinnamomum zeylanicum or true cinnamon.

Sources:

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/1002.html

http://cassiacinnamon.com/

http://www.theepicentre.com/Spices/cinnamon.html