How The World’s Most Expensive Cinnamon Is Produced

How The World’s Most Expensive Cinnamon Is Produced
Quizzed ESL Activities

How The World’s Most Expensive Cinnamon Is Produced

This video delves into the intricate process of producing Ceylon cinnamon, also known as true cinnamon, highlighting its superior quality, health benefits, and historical significance. It contrasts Ceylon cinnamon with its cheaper, more common rival, Cassia, and explores the challenges faced by Sri Lankan producers in a market rife with mislabeling and fraud.

The Art of Ceylon Cinnamon Harvesting

The production of Ceylon cinnamon involves a meticulous and labor-intensive process, primarily in Sri Lanka. Harvesters carefully cut branches at an inward angle, ensuring the tree can continue producing for half a century. After soaking, the bark is delicately peeled and carved into thin strips known as quills, which curl as they dry. The thinner the quill, the more valuable it is, with the highest grade being Alba.

Grading and Global Distribution

Once harvested, the quills undergo a rigorous sorting process where experienced individuals grade them based on diameter and quality. The finest quills, like the rare Alba grade, are significantly more valuable. After sorting, they are cut to various lengths and packaged for global distribution, catering to both wholesale and retail markets, emphasizing the spice’s long history as a prized commodity.

The Threat of Cassia and Market Challenges

Despite its superior qualities, Ceylon cinnamon faces fierce competition from Cassia cinnamon, a cheaper alternative that dominates the global market. Cassia is easier to produce in bulk and contains higher levels of coumarin, which can be harmful in large doses. Loose labeling laws and the difficulty of distinguishing powdered forms make it easy for brands to misrepresent products, creating confusion for consumers and threatening Ceylon cinnamon producers.

Protecting Ceylon Cinnamon’s Authenticity

To combat fraud and protect its unique product, Sri Lanka has made strides, such as securing a geographical indication tag from the European Union for Ceylon cinnamon. This ensures that products labeled as such in the EU must originate from Sri Lanka. However, challenges persist globally due to inconsistent regulations and the lack of mandatory botanical naming on labels, making it difficult for consumers to identify true cinnamon.

Final Thoughts

The video concludes by emphasizing the profound cultural significance and economic importance of Ceylon cinnamon to Sri Lanka, advocating for clearer global labeling standards to support the thousands of producers who depend on this industry and to ensure consumers receive authentic products.

Vocabulary Table

Term Pronunciation Definition Used in sentence
Valuable /ˈvæljuəbəl/ Highly useful or important. this cinnamon was once as valuable as gold
Supply /səˈplaɪ/ A stock or amount of something available for use. Sri Lanka produces 90% of the world’s Supply
Rival /ˈraɪvəl/ A person or thing competing with another. true cinnamon is up against a powerful rival
Dominates /ˈdɑːməneɪts/ Has a commanding influence over; controls. so it dominates the global market
Identical /aɪˈdɛntɪkəl/ Similar in every detail; exactly alike. Casia and Salon look nearly identical in powder form
Meticulous /mɪˈtɪkjələs/ Showing great attention to detail; very careful. if sunth Cuts carefully he can Harvest each tree for half a century
Quills /kwɪlz/ Thin, rolled-up pieces of dried cinnamon bark. carve and slice the bark into thin strips known as quills
Processed /ˈprɑːsɛst/ Treated or prepared by a special method. then they’re sent off to the factory to be processed
Diameter /daɪˈæmɪtər/ A straight line passing through the center of a circle. all based on diameter
Sought after /sɔːt ˈæftər/ Desired or in demand. Salon cinnamon was so sought after it became a status symbol for the rich
Alternative /ɔːlˈtɜːrnətɪv/ One of two or more available possibilities. a cheaper alternative Casia had already begun to dominate the market
Compound /ˈkɑːmpaʊnd/ A thing composed of two or more separate elements. it contains high levels of a compound called cumerin
Regulate /ˈrɛɡjəleɪt/ Control or maintain the rate or speed of. The US doesn’t regulate the amount of cumarin in cinnamon
Frauder /ˈfrɔːdər/ A person who commits fraud. some frauders have been caught mixing powdered Casia with Salon
Adulteration /əˌdʌltəˈreɪʃən/ The action of making something poorer in quality by adding a substance. the regulatory authorities they are kind of in a deep in a silence in this adulteration

Vocabulary Flashcards



Lexical Focus: Collocations & Chunks

Don’t just learn isolated words—learn chunks of language. These patterns will help you speak more naturally.

  • powerful rival
    Adjective + Noun Collocation
    true cinnamon is up against a powerful rival a lower quality kind called Casia
  • dominates the global market
    Verb + Noun Collocation
    so it dominates the global market
  • mix in cheap Cassia
    Verb + Adjective + Noun Collocation
    loose labeling laws make it easy for Brands to mix in cheap Casa with the more expensive stuff
  • harvest the spice
    Verb + Noun Collocation
    he can harvest the spice while there’s moisture in the air
  • inner bark
    Adjective + Noun Collocation
    Salon comes from the inner bark of cinnamon tree branches
  • surgical precision
    Adjective + Noun Collocation
    then with surgical Precision they carve and slice the bark into thin strips
  • worth a fortune
    Adjective + Noun Collocation
    a sack of this cinnamon would have been worth a fortune
  • regulate the amount
    Verb + Noun Collocation
    the US doesn’t regulate the amount of cumarin in cinnamon
  • geographical indication tag
    Adjective + Noun Collocation
    the European Union granted a coveted geographical indication tag to Salon cinnamon
  • earn more
    Verb + Adverb
    she hopes this will help Sri Lanka’s thousands of producers earn more for their Salon

De-Chunking: Complete the Expressions

Select the correct phrase from the box below to complete the sentences.

harvest the spice
geographical indication tag
powerful rival
surgical precision
dominates the global market

1. True cinnamon is up against a a lower quality kind called Casia.

2. Cassia is cheaper, so it .

3. He can while there’s moisture in the air.

4. With they carve and slice the bark into thin strips.

5. The European Union granted a coveted to Salon cinnamon.



While-viewing Tasks

Complete these tasks while watching the video:



Guided Notes

Fill in the key information as you watch:

  • Main topic of the video:
  • Key difference between Ceylon and Cassia cinnamon:
  • Potential health risks associated with Cassia:
  • Purpose of the EU geographical indication tag for Ceylon cinnamon:

Questions to Answer

Answer the following questions after watching the relevant segments:

  • 1. What percentage of the world’s Ceylon cinnamon supply comes from Sri Lanka?
  • 2. What is the name of the highest quality Ceylon cinnamon grade, and what is its characteristic?
  • 3. Name one way to visually distinguish Ceylon cinnamon sticks from Cassia cinnamon sticks.

Video Checklist

Check off these points as you understand them:

  • Identify the main stages of Ceylon cinnamon production (harvesting, peeling, drying, grading).
  • Note the historical significance of cinnamon as a valuable spice.
  • Understand the challenges faced by Sri Lankan cinnamon producers due to market competition and fraud.
  • Recognize the efforts being made to protect the authenticity and value of Ceylon cinnamon.

Embedded Video:

Fill in the Blanks Exercise

1. This cinnamon was once as as gold.

2. Sri Lanka produces 90% of the world’s .

3. True cinnamon is up against a powerful called Casia.

4. Casia can be in large amounts due to its coumarin content.

5. Casia and Salon look nearly in powder form.

6. Harvesting the spice while there’s in the air helps with peeling.

7. Each bundle of branches is in a water tank for at least 15 minutes.

8. With surgical , they carve and slice the bark into thin strips known as quills.

9. The thinner the , the more expensive it is.

10. At one point cinnamon was more than gold.

11. Ceylon cinnamon was so after it became a status symbol for the rich.

12. Casia contains high levels of a called coumarin.

13. The US doesn’t the amount of coumarin in cinnamon.

14. Some have been caught mixing powdered Casia with Salon.

15. The European Union granted a coveted indication tag to Salon cinnamon.

Vocabulary Quiz

1. What does the word “Valuable” mean?

a) Without worth
b) Highly useful or important
c) Easily broken
d) Very common

2. What is the meaning of “Supply”?

a) A stock or amount available for use
b) To give away
c) To take from
d) A small quantity

3. Which definition best fits “Rival”?

a) A close friend
b) A team member
c) A person or thing competing with another
d) A supporter

4. If something “Dominates” a market, what does it do?

a) It ignores the market
b) It is new to the market
c) It avoids competition
d) It has a commanding influence over the market

5. What does “Identical” mean?

a) Exactly alike
b) Slightly different
c) Rarely seen
d) Very old

6. In the context of cinnamon, what are “Quills”?

a) The leaves of the tree
b) Thin, rolled-up pieces of dried cinnamon bark
c) Tools for harvesting
d) The seeds of the cinnamon plant

7. What does it mean for something to be “Processed”?

a) To be left natural
b) To be grown
c) To be treated or prepared by a special method
d) To be shipped immediately

8. If something is “Sought after,” it is:

a) Desired or in demand
b) Easily forgotten
c) Often overlooked
d) Difficult to find

9. What is a “Compound”?

a) A single element
b) A simple mixture
c) A natural resource
d) A thing composed of two or more separate elements

10. To “Regulate” something means to:

a) To allow uncontrolled growth
b) To control or maintain the rate or speed of
c) To ignore official rules
d) To stop a process completely

Fact or Fiction Quiz

1. Cinnamon was once more valuable than gold.

a) Fact
b) Fiction

2. Sri Lanka produces all of the world’s Ceylon cinnamon supply.

a) Fact
b) Fiction

3. Casia cinnamon contains a compound called coumarin, which can cause liver damage in high doses.

a) Fact
b) Fiction

4. The US FDA physically inspects over 50% of imported spices like cinnamon.

a) Fact
b) Fiction

5. The European Union’s geographical indication tag for Ceylon cinnamon guarantees all cinnamon labeled “Ceylon” globally comes from Sri Lanka.

a) Fact
b) Fiction

Extension Activities

Choose from these activities to extend your learning:



Research Project: Cinnamon History

Research one of the historical aspects of cinnamon trade mentioned in the video, such as its value compared to gold or its ancient trade routes. Present your findings in a short report (200-300 words).

Difficulty:
Easy

Critical Analysis: Ethical Implications

Write a short essay (300-400 words) discussing the ethical implications of mislabeling Cassia as Ceylon cinnamon and its impact on both consumers and producers. Consider economic and health perspectives.

Difficulty:
Medium

Consumer Guide: Identifying True Cinnamon

Develop a comprehensive guide for consumers on how to identify genuine Ceylon cinnamon. Include visual cues, taste profiles, and essential label information (e.g., botanical names, country of origin). Use clear, concise language.

Difficulty:
Hard

Debate: Geographical Indication Tags

Prepare and present a short debate (5-7 minutes) on the effectiveness of geographical indication tags in protecting traditional products. One pair argues for their effectiveness, the other for the challenges of global trade and regulation.

Difficulty:
Medium

Comparative Study: Coumarin Regulations

Research and compare the coumarin content regulations for cinnamon in at least three different countries (beyond Germany and the US). Discuss the impact of these regulations on public health, international trade, and consumer choices.

Difficulty:
Hard

Market Strategy: Ceylon Cinnamon

In groups of 3-4, develop a marketing strategy for Sri Lankan Ceylon cinnamon producers. Focus on educating consumers, leveraging the product’s unique qualities (health benefits, flavor), and competing against cheaper alternatives. Present your strategy.

Difficulty:
Hard

Documentary Production: From Tree to Rack

Create a short video or detailed presentation (5-8 minutes) explaining the journey of Ceylon cinnamon from the tree to the spice rack, inspired by the video. Include key stages, challenges, and the people involved. Utilize images and simple animations if possible.

Difficulty:
Medium

Scroll to Top