Episode 008: All About Cinnamon

Discover the taste of good health this holiday season without feeling deprived.  In this episode, The Food Sommelier will teach you everything you wanted to know about Cinnamon and more! Learn:

• Where does cinnamon come from & the different types available
• How you can describe the taste of cinnamon
• Which types are best used for what purpose
• A historical perspective on cinnamon
• Some healthy benefits and watch-outs

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN TODAY’S EPISODE…

Why is Cinnamon is one of the most popular spices of the season? (0:48)

All the aspects of Cinnamon we’ll be discussing in today’s episode (1:20)

Where does Cinnamon come from? The Cinnamomum tree! (2:10)

Everything you need to know about the Cinnamomum tree (2:30)

The use of the rare Cinnamon buds (3:15)

The four species of culinary Cinnamon (4:45)

The least expensive Cinnamon species you can use for your recipes (6:25)

The popular uses for Indonesian and Vietnamese Cinnamon (7:00)

The properties of Chinese Cinnamon (8:30)

The properties of Sri Lankan Cinnamon (9:20)

Why is Sri Lankan Cinnamon different from the other 3 species? (10:45)

All the different taste levels of these four species of Cinnamon (12:00)

Cook’s Illustrated Magazine tested different qualities of Cinnamons to find the best (13:50)

The history of the Cinnamon spice (15:15)

Great Greek myths about Cinnamon (17:35)

How European invaders discovered the ‘Cinnamon Country’ in Sri Lanka (19:18)

The health benefits of Cinnamon (20:34)

How Cinnamon boosts brain function (23:22)

Resources you can use to learn about more benefits of Cinnamon (23:45)

A few negative health considerations regarding Cinnamon (24:05)

European regulations on Cinnamon and how the Dutch are working around it (26:30)

What is the Online Cinnamon Challenge? (28:01)

My favorite Loony Spoon Cinnamon bun recipe (30:07)

My trick for the best Cinnamon rolls (30:33)

SOME OF THE RESOURCES DISCUSSED…

Information on Cinnamon from The World’s Healthiest Foods database

Review paper on the potential health benefits of cinnamon

Ceylon Cinnamon sold from Penzy’s spices

Penzy’s also offers all the species of cinnamon discussed in this episode

Rolls Royce (Cinnamon Roll) Recipe

From The Looneyspoons Collection Cookbook by Janet and Greta Podleski

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/4 cup ground flaxseed
• 1 package (8g) or 2-1/4 teaspoons quick rising yeast
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup 1% milk
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 1 filling recipe (below)
• 1 glaze recipe (below)

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees (if using the heat to help your rolls rise)

To make dough, combine both flours, flaxseed, yeast and salt in a medium bowl. Mix well and set aside.  Add milk, sugar, butter and vanilla to a small pot.  Heat over medium heat, stirring often, just until milk is warmed, butter is melted and sugar is dissolved.  Do not simmer or boil.  Remove from heat and carefully pour into a large mixing bowl. Add half the flour mixture and egg.  Stir using a wooden spoon until well blended.  Add remaining flour mixture and stir until a soft ball forms.  Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface.  Add a bit more flour if dough is too sticky.  Knead dough until smooth and elastic, about 1 minute.  Place dough in a clean bowl that has been lightly oiled.  Cover with a tea towel and let rise in a warm place (I put mine on the preheated oven stove top) for 30 minute or until doubled in size.

Helpful Hint:  I pretty much by-pass the above instructions by placing all the ingredients into my bread machine and running on the dough cycle.

Filling Recipe Ingredients

• 2/3 cup brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon (preferably Indonesian type cinnamon, the less expense kind)
• 2 tablespoons butter, room temperature

Directions

Mix brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl and set aside.  Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper and set aside. When dough has risen, turn out onto a lightly floured surface.  Roll out dough to a 12×14-inch rectangle. Using a butter knife, spread 2 tablespoons butter evenly over dough.  Sprinkle with brown sugar-cinnamon mixture and spread evenly to edges. Roll up dough jelly-roll-style.  You should end up with a 12-inch long roll.  Using a very sharp knife, slice roll into 12 equal pieces.  Arrange rolls in a single layer in prepared pan. If not using the heat to help your rolls rise preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Bake rolls for 25 minutes.  They should be puffed up and light golden brown.  Remove from oven and let cool slightly while you prepare glaze.

Helpful Hint:  I refrigerate unbaked rolls overnight (cover tighly with saran wrap) and bake them off in the morning.   They rise very slowly overnight for extra light and puffy rolls.

Glaze Recipe Ingredients

2 tablespoons light cream cheese, at room temperature

1 tablespoon butter, at room temperature

1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

Cream all ingredients together until smooth.  Spread evenly over warm rolls. (Note: Add 1 tablespoon milk to drizzle.)

Nutrition:  269 calories per roll (not too bad!)

THANKS FOR LISTENING!

Thanks so much for joining me again this week. Have some feedback you’d like to share? Leave a note in the comment section below!

If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the top of the post.

Also, please leave an honest review for The Food Sommelier Podcast on iTunes! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show, and I read each and every one of them.

And finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates.

Until next time!

PRAISE FOR THE FOOD SOMMELIER PODCAST: 

• Delish
  October 21, 2016 by Duffash from United States

  Loving the interview about water! Yes, water can taste amazing! Great info!

• Must listen to to this show!
  September 19, 2016 by Erin Peisach from United States

  Packed with easy to understand and entertaining nutrition content!

• My food inspiration!
  September 18, 2016 by SkippyJohnJones145 from United States

  I'm so glad I found this podcast as it provides a deeper level of food appreciation than other I've listened too. I'm now more able to eat mindfully and fully enjoy the food I'm eating.

• Love of a foodi!
  April 24, 2016 by MattB4SBB from Australia

  It's awesome. Just awesome! All about food. My ideal place of relaxation!

• Great for the Food Lover
  March 28, 2016 by BrandonTBM from United States

  The perfect podcast for any food lover looking to rediscover a new type of relationship with food.

• Love it!!
  March 27, 2016 by Animartrom12 from United States

  Helpful, informative, encouraging, honest, reasonable... I just love how she delivers her information.. Not scary, like helping you take baby steps to a better you;-)

• Instant Obsession
  March 24, 2016 by jlwolf from United States

  As a dietetics student, I was Immediately HOOKED on the Food Sommelier. Annette is a true inspiration for me in a fascinating field. The diversity of her guests are all equally as intersting and knowledgable in nutrition and the science surrounding it. I really enjoy the food reviews.They offer insight into the healthier menu options chain restautants offer but most of us overlook.

• Making Food Fun & Simple
  March 9, 2016 by NutritionGenius1 from United States

  Annette has such a good outlook on food and brings on some of the top experts and movers and shakers in the food/nutrition world. There is so much to learn from all of her guests and even her own experience! You will gobble this up and learn new tips and tricks to incorporate into your every day life.

• Great podcast!
  February 5, 2016 by DCulve from United States

  I LOVE this podcast! I love all things food and this podcast delivers. The interviews and topics are super interesting. I especially loved the podcast with the nutrition diva. Annette does a great job hosting!

• More than meets the eye
  November 16, 2015 by Jmccracken01 from Australia

  This podcast is about more than just 'food'. It's about understanding the value that great food can bring to your life, your relationship, your vitality and your energy. While only new, I'm finding it insightful and interesting. Thanks.

• Excellent Podcast!
  November 14, 2015 by Nehemiah7483 from United States

  Annette's expertise about nutrition and food is awesome. Lots of practical and insightful information about all things food.

• Love it!
  November 14, 2015 by Britany Felix from United States

  I LOVE that she reviews normal restaurants instead of the fancy places in New York that I'll never eat at. This information is something I can actually use to help me choose the best place to eat healthy when the hubby and I feel like going out to dinner.

• Great podcast!
  November 14, 2015 by ItsMeRD from United States

  Such great food info in here, just listening makes me hungry!

• Awesome niche and great show
  November 13, 2015 by Podcast Mom from United States

  Love this podcast and learning so much!

• A Tastey Show!
  November 13, 2015 by Cleaning coach from United States

  Your interviews are great and are perfect for someone like me who isn't a foodie, but wants to eat healthier.

• Good podcast for those who are concerned about what we eat
  November 13, 2015 by HGCIII from United States

  Annette brings practical information to us on what and how we eat. The resturant reviews will save us time and money when eating out - and allow for great food. Eating wholesome and healty food at home or when eating out is so important for all of us. Well done - keep moving forward.

• Great show
  November 13, 2015 by vwdieselnet from United States

  I really enjoy ways to eat better especially with my new exercise routine.

• Man I’m hungry!!!
  November 10, 2015 by Alexandra B-P from United States

  Fun and lively show that makes food fun! The host goes in depth into food giving you a whole new insight to this exciting world. Love the nutritional touches. Overall - A+!

• Awesome show
  November 8, 2015 by Aditya of My Seven Chakras from Canada

  Warning- don't listen to this show on an empty stomach! Loved the episode about Olive Garden. Brought back fond memories of the classic spaghetti nepolitana that i always used to order! I look forward to more Your browser does not support the audio element.