Other names: canela, cinnamon bark
The interior bark of a tropical evergreen tree. There are two varieites of cinnamon, Cinnamon zeylanicum (Ceylon cinnamon) and Cinnamon cassia (cassia) with the Ceylon cinnamon being "true" cinnamon. The cinnamon stick is the rolled up bark. Ceylon cinnamon is softer, easier to grind and has a sweeter flavor. Find this at Mexican stores under the name canela. Cassia bark cinnamon is also referred to as "hard stick" cinnamon. Use this in beverages like mulled cider.