As winter approaches and the air starts to chill, there are few better ways to warm up than by tucking into a tasty cinnamon treat. Learn all about how this spice came to be associated with wintertime and all the ways you can enjoy it.
A comforting winter flavour
When winter rolls around, which flavours do you start craving? Chances are one of them is cinnamon. This toasty, aromatic seasoning is found in dozens of foods and beverages that are popular during winter, from chai tea to Christmas pastries. While the spice can be enjoyed all year round, there’s no doubt that it’s even more delicious in the colder months. In fact, studies have even proved it-a 2009 research team found that 97% of people associate it with Christmas and believed the flavour was more pleasant and familiar during winter.
It really warms you up
It probably comes as no surprise to you that everyone considers cinnamon a winter seasoning. After all, it always seems to warm you up after you eat or drink it. But did you know that the warming effects of this spice aren’t just in your mind? Research shows that it actually helps you stay warmer by increasing the carbon dioxide produced in your stomach, restricting blood circulation and retaining body heat. So next time you enjoy it, you’re not just getting a tasty treat-you’re protecting your body against winter’s harsh effects!
Good things do grow on trees
Cinnamon is most commonly found in the form of a powdered spice, but how does it get to form in the first place? It may sound surprising, but this delicious sprinkle comes from the bark of a specific family of trees. Mostly grown in Indonesia, the bark is shaved off, dried, then ground into powder for chefs to use easily in baking, brewing, and general cooking.
Warm your belly in dozens of ways
The best thing about cinnamon is that you can enjoy its sweet, woody flavour in so many different forms. It can be infused into tea, coffee, and hot cocoa for a beverage that makes your belly extra-warm. You can also find it baked into numerous winter desserts, like gingerbread, carrot cake, and Christmas cookies. And if you don’t have a sweet tooth, you can even find it used to flavour Indian curries and Moroccan food.
There are so many ways to enjoy this seasonal spice right in the comfort of your own home this winter. Warm up with one of the many cinnamon-infused teas from Pukka Tea, or try the huge range of pastries at Star Cinnamon.
