The Wonderful World of Cinnamon

From near and far, our customers return to Fava Tea Company time and time again to stock up on their favorite blends, and more often than not, they have something in common: cinnamon! Our collection of Cinnamon Spice blends are, hands down, some of the most popular teas in the store, regardless of the season, temperature, or time of day. From the star of our best-selling Green Cinnamon Spice to a crucial ingredient in most chai blends, we’re here with everything you need to know about this important ingredient!

Where do we get cinnamon?

All cinnamon comes from the same family of plants. Much like true teas, which always originate with the Camellia sinensis plant, all forms of cinnamon come from a tree in the Cinnamomum family. These laurel trees can grow up to roughly 50 feet in height, and are originally native to Sri Lanka, formerly Ceylon. The cinnamon grown there, which is cultivated from sticks of bark (which you likely know as cinnamon sticks) is often referred to as “true cinnamon,” but there are actually three additional main varieties of the plant that you can use to spice up your life! Cassia cinnamon, which originates in China, Korintje cinnamon from Indonesia, and Saigon cinnamon from Vietnam are significantly bolder and spicier in flavor than their Ceylon counterpart, which is lighter and more floral. That being said, the Ceylon variety is often the preferred cinnamon of cooks and bakers throughout Mexico, Europe, and the United States, but we most commonly encounter Cassia cinnamon in our day-to-day lives.

How did it end up in our kitchens?

Believe it or not, cinnamon was once more valuable than gold. Ancient Egyptians held the spice in the highest of regards, using it in religious practices and as an odor eliminator during embalming rituals. A common gift for royalty, the tradition continued into the Roman empire, where it was occasionally used on royal funeral pyres. Only the richest could afford to import cinnamon, which was also used in anointing oils, and it was said that a single Roman pound of cinnamon (327 grams to our 453 today) equated to the cost of fifty months of labor. Once available widespread in Europe, medieval kitchens used the spice much as we do today, although the cost remained high and led to significant conflict between the Portuguese and Dutch in Sri Lanka. Eventually, the Dutch gained control and established the East India Company, making cinnamon one of its first exports.

Health Benefits of Cinnamon

The exceptionally sweet flavor of our cinnamon spice blends is often astonishing to new tea drinkers, but we assure you that there is no added sugar. Just three types of cinnamon melding together for a naturally sweet and health-conscious cup of tea! Because of its sweet flavor, it’s often a great option for those looking to avoid sugar, and it has also been indicated to help lower blood sugar and cholesterol in those with diabetes. Additionally, cinnamon is commonly cited as a digestive aid and anti-inflammatory ingredient, making it a popular choice for chai blends originally created for medicinal purposes. All in all, when used in moderation and with a doctor’s approval, cinnamon can make for more than just a delicious cup of tea!

Cinnamon, Cinnamon, and more Cinnamon!

Fava Tea Company features a multitude of cinnamon spice flavors that vary in base, intensity, and flavor. Here are just a few of our favorite cinnamon-focused blends:

Green Cinnamon Spice: Easily our best-selling cinnamon tea and our second-best-seller in the entire store, Green Cinnamon Spice is the spiciest and sweetest of the collection. The green tea base provides a bit of caffeine, but the real star here is the three types of cinnamon present, perfectly complimented by just a bit of orange peel and clove.

Black Cinnamon Spice: Just as flavorful as its green tea cousin, our Black Cinnamon Spice features the bold black tea flavor you know and love complimented by sweet cinnamon. This is one of our favorite choices for a latte, and is fantastic hot or cold, no additional sweetener needed! There’s also a Decaf Cinnamon Spice in our black tea section that offers much of the same flavor but without the caffeine!

Rooibos Cinnamon Spice: If you’re looking for something caffeine-free, the Rooibos Cinnamon Spice is the way to go! This blend is packed full with the same intense flavor, but utilizes red rooibos as a base, giving it a slightly earthy undertone that results in a warm and soothing cup that’s excellent before bed.

Masala Chai: Our most traditional chai features a beautiful mixture of black tea and chai spices, most notably cinnamon and ginger. The result is an incredibly spicy, rich blend that makes for a perfect chai latte. Masala is joined by other chai blends also highlighting cinnamon, including Fava’s Classic Chai and Rooibos Chai.

Warm Cinnamon Roll: There’s plenty of cinnamon present in our fall and winter seasonal collection, but Warm Cinnamon Roll is quite literally the icing on top. Black tea is simply mixed with cinnamon bits from Ceylon and carefully crafted cinnamon flavor for a smooth, sweet cup that takes cream and sugar well! Warm Cinnamon Roll and other winter seasonal favorites will be returning soon!