If you want to give your food the right touch, use cinnamon extract. Cinnamon essence makes a great addition to baked goods but can give a little kick to co*cktails, chocolate, or help enhance your hair.
Cinnamon is the number one spice used the most in baked goods globally. While it is available in cinnamon sticks or powder, the pure cinnamon essence wraps all flavors and fragrances of cinnamon in one small bottle that you can carry anywhere you want.
Moreover, preserving cinnamon in alcohol, the fragrance and taste last much longer than powder form.
What is Cinnamon Extract?
The pure cinnamon extract, also called cinnamon essence or cinnamon tincture, is a concentrate made by infusing cinnamon bark sticks in alcohol. The alcohol act as a menstruum that pulls out the active ingredients from the cinnamon bark and concentrates them as a liquid. This cinnamon extract recipe has the taste and scent of cinnamon and its medicinal benefits.
Alcohol not only extracts the cinnamon’s properties but also acts as a preserving agent. That is why cinnamon extract liquid has a long shelf life when stored properly.
Ingredients to make cinnamon extract
While you can find cinnamon extract liquid in the supermarket, I prefer the homemade version. You can select the right ingredients and have the essence for a fraction of the bought.
Cinnamon sticks
Cinnamon is a spice obtained from the inner bark of trees known as Cinnamomum. It has a long history of uses dating back to ancient times when cinnamon was a rare and valuable spice. Nowadays, cinnamon is affordable and easily available in supermarkets in two types:
Ceylon cinnamon, also called “true,” is mainly imported from Sri Lanka and Madagascar and found mostly in Europe and Mexico. Ceylon cinnamon has a sweet and floral aroma and light color.
Cassia cinnamon, referred to as cinnamon, has a deep reddish-brown color and is imported from China and India.
In this study, however, researchers pointed out that the Cassia variety contains significant amounts of a compound called coumarin, which is believed to be harmful in large doses. Thus Ceylon (“true” cinnamon) is much better in this regard, and studies show that the level of coumarin is much lower than the Cassia variety.
Unfortunately, most cinnamon found in US supermarkets sells cheaper Cassia variety. For Ceylon, type check some health food stores.
When making cinnamon essence or tea, remember that the stronger the cinnamon scent, the more potent homemade cinnamon extract you make. So use fresh cinnamon sticks from a freshly opened package.
Alcohol
To extract all medicinal properties, fragrances, and taste of cinnamon, we need to use ethanol 40-50%, 80-100 proof of alcohol (also ethyl alcohol or grain spirit) available in a pharmacy. You can also use unflavored vodka. Other alcohol like rum or brandy will also extract the cinnamon properties however have their taste that may affect the final flavor of your cinnamon essence.
How to make cinnamon extract
First step
Place cinnamon sticks into a sterilized jar. You may want to break them in half if they don’t fit in.
Second step
Pour over the alcohol of your choice. Make sure the cinnamon sticks are covered completely
Third step
Cover the jar with a plastic lid. If you have a jar with a metal lid, place parchment paper between the top and jar.
Fourth step
Place the jar in a dark, cold place for four weeks. Keep an eye on the jar as you need to shake it from time to time (every second day)
Fifth step
Remove the cinnamon sticks, and transfer the pure cinnamon extract to a dark dropper bottle. Label it.
Note: Unlike other extracts such as vanilla or coffee beans that you can leave in your extract jar long time, cinnamon sticks can taste bitter and ruin the extract if you keep cinnamon sticks in the alcohol too long. Once the extract reaches desired taste and flavor, remove the sticks.
How to use cinnamon extract
cookingor drinks
Just a few drops give any recipe an unmistakable cinnamon flavor. The flavoring is intense so just be careful not to use too much. It is better to experiment at the beginning, start with a little, and add more to the taste.
I use a dropper bottle rather than just a regular bottle for a better dosage.
Instead of cinnamon whiskey, add a few drops to these cinnamon toast crunch shots.
Cinnamon essence for baking
This cinnamon extract recipe adds a unique flavor to desserts and pastries and is the most popular spice in baked goods worldwide.
Homemade cinnamon rolls…..
cookies, tea, sauces, dressings, puddings, cakes, and sorbet for an unmistakable cinnamon flavor.
Potent cinnamon essence is the perfect ingredient for any whipped cream, icing, frosting, or topping;
I like the delicate fragrance of this homemade cinnamon essence on my ice cream sorbets, morning smoothie, popsicles, or pancakes. You can alternate with this coffee extract.
Cinnamon extract for hair
For hair growth
Researchers confirmed that cinnamon contains cinnamaldehyde that increases circulation and blood flow to the hair follicles, thus supporting hair growth. However, more research is needed.
to ease dandruff
According to this study, cinnamon possesses antifungal properties that work against a fungus that causes dandruff; thus, including cinnamon extract in your shampoo or conditioner helps to ease dandruff.
Alternatively, you can make your hair mask where you just gently heat ¼ cup of coconut oil and ¼ cup of olive oil n a small saucepan over low heat to melt don’t need to boil the mixture. Add 20 drops of this cinnamon essence recipe to create a hair mask. This mask you can apply to your scalp and hair and let it sit for 10-15 minutes. Wash it with shampoo. When used regularly on the scalp, this cinnamon mask may stimulate circulation, thus encouraging hair growth and reducing hair loss. It also has antifungal properties, which might help treat dandruff.
how to make a homemade cinnamon extract from ground cinnamon?
Technically you can also make the cinnamon extract with cinnamon powder when freshly ground, but you may have difficulties sieving the fine powder. You may have to use several layers of cheesecloth or repeat the process of sieving several times to achieve a clear cinnamon extract without any grit
Yield: 240 ml (1 cup, 8 oz)
How to make cinnamon extract and its uses
If you want to give your food the right touch, use cinnamon extract. It makes a great addition to baked goods but can also give a little kick to co*cktails, chocolate or help to enhance your hair.
Cook Time20 minutes
Additional Time28 days
Total Time28 days 20 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 whole cinnamon sticks (sweet cinnamon - Cinnamomum verum is prefered)
- 1 cup 40-50% alcohol is equal to 80-90 proof ethanol
Instructions
Place cinnamon sticks into a sterilized jar. You may want to break them in half if they don’t fit in.
Pour over the alcohol of your choice. Make sure the cinnamon sticks are covered completely
Cover the jar with a plastic lid. If you have a jar with a metal lid, place parchment paper between the top and jar.
Place the jar in a dark, cold place for four weeks. Keep an eye on the jar as you need to shake it from time to time (every second day)
Remove the cinnamon sticks and transfer the pure cinnamon extract to a dark dropper bottle. Label it.
Notes
Unlike other extracts such as vanilla or coffee beans that you can leave in your extract jar long time, cinnamon sticks can taste bitter and ruin the extract if you keep cinnamon sticks in the alcohol too long. Once the extract reaches desired taste and flavor, remove the sticks.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
40Serving Size:
1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 98Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 0mgCarbohydrates: 0gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 0g
