Profile

The History and Health Benefits of Cinnamon in Tea

Sweet hot cinnamon has graced Egyptian temples and found favor in Greek mythology. Harvested from the inner bark of Cinnamomum trees, it is used for incense, candles, baked goods and beverages with its warming nature. It may be helpful in lowering blood sugar and cholesterol as well as offering anti-inflammatory effects. In tea blending, it's the belle of the ball as it goes so well with so many flavors, adding sweetness and gentle heat.
Sweet hot cinnamon has graced Egyptian temples and found favor in Greek mythology. Harvested from the inner bark of Cinnamomum trees, it is used for incense, candles, baked goods and beverages with its warming nature. It may be helpful in lowering blood sugar and cholesterol as well as offering anti-inflammatory effects. In tea blending, it's the belle of the ball as it goes so well with so many flavors, adding sweetness and gentle heat.
Crisp autumn nights call for warmth and comfort and little can better provide them than an autumn bonfire. Behold our bonfire blend: Honeybush hazelnut and cocoa nibs relax and ground you, while a spice blend of aniseed, cinnamon, clove, and orange peel offer cozy comfort and zest. Apples and rose hips add soft sweetness while a touch of Lapsang Souchong black tea and red peppercorn offer hints of smoke and the flickering spark of heat. A perfect cup for fireside enjoyment or downtime dreaming.
Crisp autumn nights call for warmth and comfort and little can better provide them than an autumn bonfire. Behold our bonfire blend: Honeybush hazelnut and cocoa nibs relax and ground you, while a spice blend of aniseed, cinnamon, clove, and orange peel offer cozy comfort and zest. Apples and rose hips add soft sweetness while a touch of Lapsang Souchong black tea and red peppercorn offer hints of smoke and the flickering spark of heat. A perfect cup for fireside enjoyment or downtime dreaming.

Embracing Cinnamon: A Winter Comfort Spice

The coldest months of winter are when we seek out the warmest comfort foods. (Most of us, at least. Though you’ll still find some folks lining up outside frozen yogurt bars—what’s up with that?) The majority of people, however, are gathering for hot toddies and pumpkin-spiced everything.

One of the signature spices during this time of year, and a key player in pumpkin spice, is none other than cinnamon.

Cinnamon: A World of Flavor

Cinnamon is not just one spice, but actually a whole family of spices. There are various types of cinnamon, each with unique characteristics depending on the region where it’s grown. According to https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinnamon, cinnamon is a fragrant bark that becomes even more aromatic when processed.

Adagio’s sweet sister, selefina.com Selefina Spices, carries multiple varieties of cinnamon—currently loureiroi bark and cassia ground powder, chips, and sticks. Each type offers a different flavor profile, making it worth your while to try a sample of each. Taste-test your way through them with your favorite culinary companions to find the best cinnamon for your baking, cooking, tea, or cocktail needs!

A Spice With a Rich History

Cinnamon has been part of many traditions, both in the kitchen and beyond. Historically, this spice symbolized wealth, as it was traded along the ancient Silk and Spice Roads. In fact cinnamon was often used as an offering to gods and powerful leaders like kings and emperors. One famous instance involves the Roman Emperor Nero, who burned a year’s supply of cinnamon at the funeral pyre of his wife, Poppea Sabina.

Cinnamon’s Holistic Benefits

Cinnamon has a long history in holistic wellness practices like Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). In Ayurveda, cinnamon is considered warming to the body, helpful for digestion, and may even boost energy. Similarly, in TCM, refers to cinnamon as Rou Gui, which has similar properties. Interestingly, "Rou Gui" is also the name of an oolong tea, comparable to Adagio’s Wuyi Ensemble, known for its digestive benefits.

Cinnamon in Tea Blends: Bonfire and Thai Chai

If you want to experience the full delight of cinnamon in your tea, look no further than Bonfire and Thai Chai. These blends are two of many that Adagio carries that showcase cinnamon in both bold and subtle ways, perfect for winter sipping.

Bonfire: A Bold and Fiery Blend

Bonfire is a tea blend that highlights cinnamon’s fiery side, paired with honeybush tea, dried apple pieces, lapsang souchong, aniseed, cocoa nibs, rose hips, clove buds, orange peel, red peppercorns, safflower, and a few natural flavors.

The cinnamon truly shines in this blend, thanks to the other ingredients that complement and enhance its flavor. The lapsang souchong adds a savory, smoked umami note, while the apple pieces, rose hips, and orange peel provide a hint of sour-acid. The smoothness of the honeybush, safflower, and aniseed balances the sweetness, and the spiciness from the clove, red peppercorns, cocoa, and cinnamon gives the tea a lingering, powerful aftertaste.

Thai Chai: A Delicate Cinnamon Blend

In contrast to Bonfire’s boldness, Thai Chai offers cinnamon in a more delicate form. This blend includes black tea, cinnamon, ginger, coconut, cardamom, lemongrass, and other natural flavors.

Let’s break down the flavor balance: the coconut and cardamom bring sweetness, while the black tea adds a savory touch. Cinnamon and ginger provide the spicy kick, and lemongrass adds a hint of bitterness. This balance of flavors makes Thai Chai a bright, uplifting tea, perfect for transitioning from winter to spring.

The Perfect Balance of Flavors

Both Bonfire and Thai Chai demonstrate the versatility of cinnamon in tea blends. In Bonfire, cinnamon plays a bold role, balanced by the smokiness of lapsang souchong and the sweetness of apple and honeybush. Thai Chai, on the other hand, offers a lighter, more delicate approach, where cinnamon blends seamlessly with coconut and ginger to create a well-rounded, flavorful cup.

What Are Your Favorite Cinnamon Teas?

Do you have a favorite cinnamon tea blend? Whether you prefer a bold, spicy brew like Bonfire or a lighter, more delicate cup like Thai Chai, we’d love to hear your thoughts! Let us know in the comments how you enjoy incorporating cinnamon into your tea routine.