Cinnamon stick

The cinnamon stick comes from the interior bark of a tropical evergreen tree. The cinnamon stick is the rolled up bark from the tree. There are two varieties of cinnamon, Cinnamon zeylanicum (Ceylon cinnamon) and Cinnamon cassia (cassia) with the Ceylon cinnamon being "true" cinnamon.

Ceylon cinnamon is softer, easier to grind and has a sweeter but more pungent flavor.  You can find this at Mexican stores under the name canela.

Cinnamon is used in many countries.  In Mexico it is used a lot in Mexican beverages such as Mexican Chocolate and other dishes like mole sauce.

In India its used in many dishes, including my favorite Indian rice dish called Goan Rice PIlaf. In Europe it is commonly used in breads, cakes and pastries.

If you don't  have cinnamon sticks:

• You can substitute ground cinnamon for stick where appropriate (1 -3" stick = 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon).
• For a different flavor profile, for each 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon substitute 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
• OR 1/4 to half teaspoon nutmeg
• OR equal amounts of pumpkin pie spice.