Cinnamon

spice · flavor · trees

Comes from tree bark. Cinnamon grows inside the bark of special trees called Cinnamomum. Workers peel away the outer bark to get to the sweet inner layer, which is then dried and becomes the cinnamon we use in cooking.

Magic molecule inside. What makes cinnamon smell and taste so amazing is a special chemical called cinnamoldehyde. This one ingredient gives cinnamon its signature warm, sweet flavor that makes your taste buds dance.

Sweet and savory superstar. Cinnamon isn't just for desserts. People sprinkle it on cereal, bake it into bagels, stir it into hot chocolate, add it to tea, and even use it in savory dishes around the world.

Instantly recognizable smell. The moment you open a jar of cinnamon, you know what it is. That cozy, warm aroma comes from the essential oils in the bark, and it's one of the most beloved scents in cooking.