Cassia Bark | Hari Ghotra (2024)

Using Cassia Bark (Dal Chini) in Indian Cooking

Cassia bark is related to cinnamon but it isn't the same. The two ingredients can be interchangeable but they do have a different emphasis on the flavour they infuse into your dish. Cassia adds a sweeter, milder flavour whereas cinnamon has a stronger more harsh, hotter flavour.

Cassia originates in South East Asia and is often called Chinese cinnamon. Most of the worlds cinnamon quils are produced in Sri Lanka.

Cassia looks more like a thick outer bark of a tree and is darker in colour. Cinnamon is a lighter beige colour and made up of wafer thin quills. Cassia tends to be cheaper than cinnamon as it's cheaper to produce. For Indian dishes I will tend to use cassia rather then cinnamon.

It tends to be used in desserts as well as a number of savoury and rice dishes. Predominately used the Korma and Pasanda it gives the very subtle sweetness that these dishes are known for.

There is one variety called Cinnamomum which produces 'true cinnamon' most other cinnamon comes from related species that are also refereed to as cassia.

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Cassia Bark | Hari Ghotra (2024)

FAQs

Cassia Bark | Hari Ghotra? ›

Cassia is a dark brown tree bark, it's solid, thicker and darker than cinnamon. Although it has some similar flavour notes to cinnamon it has its own distinct aromatic that is stronger and sweeter tasting with a musky aroma.

What is cassia bark used for? ›

Cassia bark is used as a flavouring in cooking and particularly in liqueurs and chocolate. Southern Europeans generally prefer it to true cinnamon, and in North America ground cinnamon is commonly sold without distinction as to the species from which the bark is obtained.

Is cassia bark different from cinnamon? ›

Cassia and Cinnamon vary in chemical composition. Cassia contains higher levels of coumarin as compared to cinnamon. Review of scientific evidence indicates that cassia is consumed / used in minor quantities as one of the ingredients in curry powder or used while preparing curry masala at home.

What is a cassia tree used for? ›

The leaf and bark are used as medicine. Indian cassia is used for diabetes, cough, common cold, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. In foods, Indian cassia is used as a spice or flavoring agent.

What's the difference between cinnamon sticks and bark? ›

Ground cinnamon and cinnamon sticks are like fraternal twins: same but different. As its name implies, ground cinnamon is the dried inner tree layer that's been pulverized into a fine powder. A cinnamon stick is that same bark, only it left the party before the spice grinder was brought out.

What does cassia do to your body? ›

Cassia cinnamon contains chemicals that seem to improve insulin sensitivity, which might help blood sugar control in people with diabetes. It also contains cinnamaldehyde. This chemical might help fight bacteria and fungi. Cassia cinnamon is a very common spice and flavoring agent in foods.

What are the side effects of cassia? ›

Here are six possible side effects of eating too much Cassia cinnamon.
  • May cause liver damage. Cassia (or regular) cinnamon is a rich source of coumarin. ...
  • May cause mouth sores. ...
  • May cause low blood sugar. ...
  • May cause breathing problems. ...
  • May interact with certain medications.
Mar 21, 2024

What was cassia used for in the Bible? ›

Easton's Bible Dictionary - Cassia

Hebrew pl. ketzi'oth ( Psalms 45:8 ). Mentioned in connection with myrrh and aloes as being used to scent garments. It was probably prepared from the peeled bark, as the Hebrew word suggests, of some kind of cinnamon.

What are the medicinal properties of cassia? ›

cassia has a wide range of pharmacological effects, including antitumour, anti-inflammatory and analgesic, anti-diabetic and anti-obesity, antibacterial and antiviral, cardiovascular protective, cytoprotective, neuroprotective, immunoregulatory effects, anti-tyrosinase activity and other effects.

What does cassia do for skin? ›

In addition to its potential skin lightening properties, cassia powder can also exfoliate the skin. Its fine particles help remove dead skin cells, revealing a fresh and radiant complexion. Regular exfoliation can improve the absorption of other skincare products and promote a smoother and brighter skin texture.

What are the benefits of cassia sticks? ›

People take Cassia cinnamon by mouth for diabetes, gas (flatulence), muscle and stomach spasms, preventing nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, infections, the common cold, and loss of appetite.

Is it OK to chew on cinnamon bark? ›

Cinnamon bark is POSSIBLY SAFE for most people when taken by mouth in amounts used for medicine. These amounts are slightly higher than amounts found in food. However, cinnamon bark is POSSIBLY UNSAFE when taken by mouth in large amounts. Also, taking cinnamon oil by mouth is POSSIBLY UNSAFE.

Is McCormick cinnamon cassia or ceylon? ›

McCormick, a more than 125-year-old company, is a trusted name in the food industry that you can count on to deliver a marriage of quality and affordability. Their ground cinnamon is classified as cinnamon cassia, so the flavor profile is much stronger and sweeter than Ceylon cinnamon.

What is cassia used for in the Bible? ›

Cassia is an essential oil that was an ingredient in anointing oil as described in Exodus 30:22–25 and in Psalms 45:7–9. Besides being used on people, the Bible tells us anointing oil was also used in making clothing fragrant.

What is cassia bark essential oil good for? ›

Cassia oil can be used for cleaning and cooking, but the health benefits of using this powerful oil are really surprising. Cassia oil is known to boost the immune system — helping the entire body run properly. It maintains a healthy and functioning digestive system and improves blood circulation.

What are the side effects of cinnamon bark? ›

The oil can be irritating to the skin and mucous membranes, including the stomach, intestine, and urinary tract. It can cause side effects such as diarrhea, vomiting, dizziness, drowsiness, and others.

Is cassia anti inflammatory? ›

cassia mainly came from cinnamaldehyde. This compound not only inhibited inflammatory mediators but also activated antiinflammatory mediators in LPS-activated J774A. 1 cells. It may also have an effect on iron regulatory proteins in activated macrophages.

References

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