"The Cinnamon Challenge" was a craze that took over the internet few years back. It involved eating a spoonful of cinnamon and laughing as challengers coughed and spluttered over the spice. There is a better use for cinnamon out there, and that's to make the best cinnamon coffee with it.
Cinnamon is a sweet spice, and there is a whole heap of reasons you should add a heap of it to your coffee. Dieticians rave about the health benefits it comes with, and it tastes great too. It makes you wonder, why aren't you already drinking cinnamon coffee?
A Little Bit about Cinnamon
You'll probably find a little jar of cinnamon in your spice rack at home. Most commonly, it's used to add flavor to desserts, cereal, bread, sweets and savory dishes. It has a sweet, woody and slightly spicy taste, and contains an aromatic essential oil.
Since 2000 BC, the ancient Egyptians used cinnamon in their own unique way - to embalm the dead! It's unlikely that anyone would use cinnamon for this nowadays, but it can do more than just make things tastier. There's no end to its health benefits and it can be used to treat certain ailments. I'll touch more on the cinnamon in coffee health benefits in the next section.
Cinnamon is native to Sri Lanka and comes from the bark of a cinnamon tree. A cinnamon tree has large, oval-shaped leaves and a thick bark. There are two types of cinnamon:
1) Ceylon cinnamon, which comes from Sri Lanka, India, Brazil, the Caribbean, and Madagascar.
2) Cassia cinnamon, produced in Vietnam, Indonesia and China. Greek mythology states that winged serpents would guard this variety as it grew.
In 2014, 213,678 tons of cinnamon was produced. The largest producer was Indonesia, followed by China, Vietnam, and Sri Lanka. When it reaches the supermarkets, you can buy it in either powder form, as a stick or as cinnamon oil.
Why Should you Try Cinnamon Coffee?
Because coffee lovers are never too late when jumping on the latest flavor craze, you can now buy coffee infused with cinnamon. Instead of creating the mix in your own kitchen, save yourself the effort and buy a bag of the best cinnamon coffee you can find. I recommend going online so you can compare prices and reviews.
Here are just a few of the reasons you should order some cinnamon coffee beans today!
- It can help you lose weight and boost metabolism. Cassia cinnamon is popular in the US for its strong taste, low price, and weight loss properties. It contains 5% coumarin, which thins the blood and boosts metabolism.
- Reduce your sugar intake. Adding cinnamon to your coffee can make it taste better. The sweetness will be satisfying enough that you may even want to skip on the sugar! This is better for your teeth and your health. Now, that's one less excuse to cheat on your diet!
- Both cinnamon and coffee are full of antioxidants. We know antioxidants are good for us, so why not increase your intake with this tasty drink? Just one teaspoon of cinnamon contains the same amount of these helpful molecules as a cup of blueberries.
- Keep your brain ticking along. A cup of coffee is your brain's best friend. It helps to keep you alert and "switched on", improving memory and cognitive functions. Studies have found that just the smell of cinnamon can improve your brain's ability to process things. Combine the two, and you'll end up with a super brain!
- Protect against high blood sugar. Cinnamon slows down blood sugar spikes after you eat, providing a stable energy boost. It improves the body's insulin effectiveness and prevents inflammation of your joints. It also stops you from snacking so much as you won't feel the need for further energy boosts from sweets.
- Keep cold and flu symptoms at bay. Whenever you have a cold, a hot drink is a good way to soothe the symptoms. Cinnamon flavored coffee gives an extra helping hand by clearing the sinuses.
- Keep your heart healthy. It can lower heart-related diseases by 30%. It does this by reducing the nasty triglycerides that lead to clogged arteries.
- Good for general health. Just half a teaspoon of cinnamon per day can have major benefits. It can reduce blood sugar levels and cholesterol levels. Those with type 2 diabetes, in particular, could benefit from increasing cinnamon intake.
- Ease stomach pain. The anti-inflammatory properties of cinnamon make it a good way to ease menstrual pain and indigestion.
A Twist on Cinnamon Coffee
Roasters make cinnamon coffee by adding the cinnamon flavor to beans before roasting. Often, cinnamon flavored oil will be used for a concentrated taste. Depending on the manufacturer, anything between 1 and 3 teaspoons of flavor per pound will be added.
For me, the best cinnamon coffee is a luxurious, comforting beverage. It's ideal for cold weather, to heat you up and control flu symptoms! This cinnamon coffee recipe is nothing but luxurious. It's a cinnamon mocha and you can make it with cinnamon coffee beans.
Here, I'm going to show you how to make it from scratch, adding your own cinnamon for your personalized creation. You can play around with the ingredients so it suits your palate perfectly.
You will need:
| The Method |
|---|---|
1. | Combine the ground coffee and ground cinnamon. For a more intense flavor, increase the amount of cinnamon you use. |
2. | Brew the coffee and cinnamon mixture as you normally would. Just choose your favorite method, whether that's the drip method, French Press or something else. Just choose the one that works for you. |
3. | Heat the milk in a saucepan on a medium heat, try not to burn it! Add the sugar (optional), cocoa powder and vanilla. Mix it all together until it becomes aromatic and smooth. |
4. | Pour the milky mixture into 4 cups. It should fill each cup about 1/4 of the way. Pour the brewed coffee into each cup and give it a stir. |
5. | If you want to be extra fancy, garnish with whipped cream and cinnamon sticks. Sprinkle with chocolate or cinnamon powder and enjoy! |
The Bottom Line
The term "cinnamon" is also used in the coffee world to describe a roast level. The cinnamon roast is a light roast, making a dry bean and a light brown color. It can create a fruity or nutty flavor.
Cinnamon flavored coffee is something entirely different. You can buy it off the shelf for an exciting new coffee experience. The enjoyable taste will mean you can neglect sugar and cream, and it can help with many other health aspects!
So, my "Cinnamon Challenge" to you is to add it to your daily coffee!
