Do you have cinnamon sticks at home but the dish you are going to make needs cinnamon powder? Worry no more! This blog will help you powderize that stick! We’ll also discuss the benefit to the health of this powerful spice and how do can you make its shelf life longer. So without further ado, let’s dive in!
Advantage Of Using Cinnamon Powder Than Sticks
Cinnamon is one of the most popular spices in the world. It has been used for thousands of years, and it is still very popular in many countries. People use cinnamon sticks to make tea or coffee, but they also use them in different recipes like desserts, cakes, or other sweets. However, there are some people who prefer using cinnamon powder instead because it has more health benefits to healths than sticks do.
🟫 It is easy to use
Cinnamon sticks are used to flavor dishes and drinks. But they can get messy when you try to measure them out, and they’re not as easy to store as cinnamon powder.
Cinnamon powder that comes in a jar is easy to use because it doesn’t come with any added ingredients or extracts. You can easily measure it out using a measuring spoon, which means you don’t have to worry about getting the proportions wrong when making your recipes.
You can also mix the cinnamon powder into other ingredients like vanilla extract for baking or cocoa powder for desserts without worrying about losing any of its potency by mixing it directly into those ingredients first (which would happen if you were using sticks).
🟫 It is easier to measure
The other benefit to the health of using cinnamon powder over sticks is that it is easier to measure. A tablespoon of cinnamon powder is equivalent to about 3 teaspoons of cinnamon sticks, which means you can easily substitute one for the other without worrying about waste or getting too much or too little.
🟫 Less waste
One of the biggest benefits to health of using a powder is that it is easier to measure out. Cinnamon sticks are like measuring cups, but with one major difference: they get smaller and smaller as you go down the length.
The problem with this is that once you reach a certain point, it becomes impossible to effectively measure without taking off your headlamp in order to see what’s going on underneath the top layer of cinnamon.
Also, if you want to use more than a tablespoon or so at once (which I do), then small differences in measurement can really add up over time. For example, if you need 2 tablespoons total but only have 1/3rd teaspoon left from your last batch, then what? You either need another spoonful just for this recipe or transfer some into another container so if you ever want more than two tablespoons again later on there will be enough available without having to buy more cinnamon sticks (and if you already did buy them then I hope they weren’t too expensive).
🟫 The taste is better
The taste is better because the cinnamon powder is more flavorful and aromatic than the stick version. This means that you will be able to use less cinnamon powder in your cooking, thus saving on costs.
Some people prefer using cinnamon sticks rather than powders because they feel that sticks are more authentic. However, this may not be true for all recipes. One thing to note is that when you’re making some dishes such as cookies or other baked goods, it is best to use powder because it dissolves easily in water and doesn’t stick together like a solid piece of wood would do if added directly into your food.
Benefits Of Cinnamon To Health
Cinnamon is a delicious spice that can help improve your health. In addition to its flavor, cinnamon has many health benefit to healths and can even help you live longer. Here are seven ways that cinnamon improves your overall well-being:
1. Reduces blood sugar
Cinnamon helps to reduce blood sugar, thus making it an excellent food for those with diabetes. It was found that cinnamon was able to lower fasting blood glucose levels by 18 percent after eight weeks of use, and another study confirmed this result. In addition to its ability to control blood sugar levels, cinnamon has also been shown to help lower cholesterol and triglycerides as well as reduce inflammation.
2. Helps you lose weight
Cinnamon is a great source of antioxidants. Antioxidants are substances that protect the body from cell damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals cause damage to cells and tissues, which can lead to weight gain. Cinnamon helps you lose weight because it increases your metabolism and suppresses your appetite.
Cinnamon also speeds up liver metabolism, which means that it helps break down fats faster than normal. This can lead to lower blood sugar levels after eating, which may prevent overeating in the future!
3. Helps lower cholesterol
Cinnamon has a positive effect on blood sugar and insulin levels, which can help lower cholesterol. Cholesterol is a fat found in the blood and is used to make hormones and vitamin D. It also helps maintain healthy cells, nerves, and hormones.
4. May help prevent Alzheimer’s disease and dementia
One of the most exciting benefits to the health of cinnamon is its potential to help prevent Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Studies have shown that it can help minimize damage to brain tissue by reducing oxidative stress, which is linked to memory loss. You can get the same effects by adding a teaspoon of cinnamon to your coffee or tea every day!
5. Improves dental health
It also has anti-bacterial properties that can kill the bacteria in your mouth, thus helping to prevent cavities. The antioxidants present in cinnamon may also reduce inflammation of the gums and fight against periodontal disease, which is an infection that causes your gums to pull away from the teeth.
6. Helps fight infection and inflammation
Cinnamon is a natural anti-bacterial agent, which helps fight infections in the stomach and intestines. Studies show that it can even kill the bacteria that cause tooth decay! Cinnamon also has powerful anti-inflammatory properties, making it helpful for reducing pain, swelling, and redness associated with arthritis, menstrual cramps, and other inflammatory conditions like joint pain or psoriasis.
7. Relieves PMS symptoms and menstrual cramps
Cinnamon may help reduce the severity of PMS symptoms by balancing hormones. Studies have also shown that it can help reduce bloating and pain in women with premenstrual syndrome (PMS). A few studies have suggested that cinnamon may have an effect on menstrual cramps, but more research is needed to confirm these results.
In general, evidence suggests that eating more cinnamon (particularly the powder) during your period could offer some relief from PMS symptoms such as irritability, fatigue, and tension headaches.
How To Make Cinnamon Sticks Into Powder
Cinnamon sticks are one of the most common spices in your pantry. They’re great for adding flavor to sweet and savory dishes alike, but did you know that you can also use cinnamon powder? This powdered spice is easy to make at home with a few simple steps. Here’s how:
🟫 Grind or blend
You’re going to want the powder to be fine, so you can use a blender or food processor. If you don’t have either of those on hand, you can still make cinnamon powder by using a mortar and pestle. First, take your cinnamon stick and cut it in half lengthwise with a sharp knife.
Then place each half in your mortar and pestle so that it makes up one side of the mortar (you may need to cut off small pieces if your mortar is too large). Pound down on this side until the cinnamon breaks into smaller pieces. This will help when grinding them further with more pressure applied later on.
🟫 Process
After your cinnamon sticks have been processed, you need to process them again. This time, use a blender or food processor. You want to get the cinnamon as fine as possible and blend it until it is completely pulverized.
Remember, always be careful when blending hot liquids like this! Don’t overdo it and keep checking on the consistency of your powder by taking some out of your blender or food processor every few minutes and testing its coarseness by rubbing two fingers together. If you can feel individual grains between your fingers, then there is still work to be done; if not, congratulations!
🟫 Storage
Store your homemade cinnamon powder in an airtight container. Keep it at room temperature or in a cool, dry place that’s free of sunlight. You can also store it in the refrigerator for longer storage, but you’ll have to let it come back to room temperature before using it again so as not to damage the flavor. Use within six months of making your cinnamon powder!
How To Make Cinnamon Powder Last Longer?
If you love the flavor of cinnamon, then you probably have a jar of it in your kitchen. It has a long shelf life, but how do you make sure that it stays fresh for as long as possible? Here are some tips for preserving your cinnamon powder:
🟫 Store cinnamon powder in an airtight container.
The best way to store cinnamon powder is in an airtight container. This will keep moisture and sunlight from damaging the spice, which can cause it to lose flavor over time.
Another helpful tip for keeping your cinnamon powder fresh is to store it in a cool place, like a cupboard or pantry. Heat can also cause the spices to lose their potency faster than usual, so try not to store them in your oven or on top of any heat sources (like stoves).
🟫 Keep the container at room temperature.
You can store cinnamon powder at room temperature, but it will lose its flavor over time if exposed to moisture. Cinnamon will also lose its flavor if exposed to sunlight or heat. If you want your cinnamon to last longer, keep it in a dry place and out of direct sunlight when possible.
🟫 Avoid direct sunlight and humid conditions.
While storing cinnamon powder in an airtight container will help keep it fresh for longer, you should also avoid exposing the spice to direct sunlight and humid conditions. If a container has some exposure to sunlight, try to keep it out of direct light by storing the jar in a drawer or cabinet instead of on a countertop.
If your kitchen is very humid, try keeping your spices in containers with lids that have small holes so that moisture can escape. Also, consider keeping them away from heat sources such as stoves or ovens if possible.
🟫 Use dry utensils to measure the cinnamon.
When measuring the cinnamon powder, make sure that you’re using dry utensils. Don’t use a spoon that was used for other things or food. If you have a chocolate bar wrapper in your pocket and it gets on your spoon, don’t use that spoon for the cinnamon powder! The chocolate will make the cinnamon go bad faster than usual.
The same goes for other wet utensils. For example, if you have been using a wet sponge to clean up messes around the house and then go measure some cinnamon with it, your measurements won’t be as accurate because of all the moisture from cleaning up.
🟫 Mix it with milk or other liquid.
To preserve the flavor and aroma of cinnamon powder, mix it with milk or other liquids before using it as a drink additive. You can use cinnamon powder as an ingredient for smoothies. It also tastes great in hot chocolate and can be used as a garnish for desserts such as pies or cakes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. How do I use cinnamon powder in cooking and baking?
At this point, you know that cinnamon is a great addition to many different kinds of dishes. But how do you use it?
Cinnamon is often used in baking, especially in sweet foods. It adds flavor and depth to cakes and other baked goods and can be substituted for other spices like nutmeg or cloves. Cinnamon can be used in savory foods as well! Try adding cinnamon powder to soups or stews for a spicy kick.
Q2. Can I use cinnamon in place of gingerbread?
You can use cinnamon in place of gingerbread, but it is important to know the difference between the two. Cinnamon is a spice used in Indian cuisine and other Asian cultures. Gingerbread is a type of baked good that originated in Europe and later became popular in America.
Q3. Does cinnamon contain calories?
Yes, cinnamon does contain calories. A teaspoon of cinnamon powder has about 4 calories, which is less than a teaspoon of other spices like pepper (7), cloves (13), or cumin (18). However, when you use spice in your cooking, you can add as much or as little as you’d like without worrying about the calorie count too much.
Q4. Are there any side effects to using large amounts of cinnamon?
Yes, taking large amounts of cinnamon can irritate your stomach and cause nausea or vomiting. This is especially true if you are taking it on an empty stomach or in combination with alcohol or other beverages that contain high amounts of caffeine (like coffee). It’s because they may increase absorption into your bloodstream faster than usual. If you experience these symptoms after consuming a large amount of cinnamon, try drinking plenty of water or milk so that your body doesn’t become dehydrated while trying to flush out toxins through vomiting and diarrhea.
Q5. Can I put cinnamon directly on my skin to treat pimples or acne?
Cinnamon oil has been shown to be effective in treating blemishes and acne. However, the reason why cinnamon powder isn’t recommended for skin care is that it doesn’t work the same way as cinnamon oil does. Cinnamon powder can only be absorbed through your digestive system. It doesn’t have any anti-inflammatory properties as cinnamon oil does.
If you want to use cinnamon as an acne treatment, try making some spiced hot tea with a couple of teaspoons of powdered raw organic cinnamon (not cassia!). You could also add some honey for sweetness and antibacterial properties!
Final Words
In conclusion, cinnamon has a lot of benefits to health whether you use a stick or its powder form. But remember, anything in an excessive amount is risky. So even if you like its spice and kick, use it in your dish or beverage minimally. Hopefully, this blog has helped you turn your cinnamon sticks into powder! Happy cooking!
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