Organic cinnamon is something that’s used to market premium goods. Is it merely marketing jargon, promising more than it can deliver, or is it really more valuable than conventional cinnamon?

Key Takeaways

• Organic cinnamon is grown using a sustainable agricultural system without the use of synthetic inputs.
• Benefits of choosing organic cinnamon include higher purity, sustainability, genuine flavour, and less exposure to harmful agricultural chemicals.
• The organic market is here to stay, as it shows steady growth in the global market generally and the EU specifically, with the EU being the second-largest market after the US.

What is Organic Cinnamon?

Organic cinnamon is grown without the use of synthetic inputs, such as GMO seeds, synthetic fertilizers, chemical pesticides, or artificial growth agents. Furthermore, in the EU, the scope of organic production extends beyond the farm, as it means a sustainable agricultural system that respects the environment and animal welfare, but also includes all stages of the food supply chain.

Organic farming practices include:

• Crop rotation for efficient land use
• No use of chemical pesticides and synthetic fertilizers
• Strict limits on livestock antibiotics
• Ban of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)
• Use of on-site resources for natural fertilizers or animal feed
• Raising livestock in a free-range, open-air environment and the use of organic fodder
• Tailored animal husbandry practices

The Benefits of Choosing Organic Cinnamon

What does excluding synthetic inputs actually do? Here are some benefits of choosing organic cinnamon instead of conventionally grown cinnamon.

Purity

Organic cinnamon has no synthetic inputs and GMO use, this means a higher purity level. You’ll be choosing and tasting “real cinnamon” as it’s intended to be, free from contamination by chemicals and pesticides.

Sustainability

One of the main draws to organic farming is, of course, sustainability. It supports sustainability in a number of ways as it:

• Uses less energy and often has lower emissions
• Reduces nitrogen pollution due to chemical leaching from fertilizers and pesticides
• Supports soils that capture and store more carbon
• Supports biodiversity in the area

Health Benefits

One particular benefit of organic farming is the lack of synthetic chemicals, which reduces associated health risks, such as cancer and neurological issues.

Moreover, in a study of organic spices' nutritional values, which included cinnamon, it was found that organic spices have better nutritional content, specifically antioxidants, ash content, fat, and protein.

Flavour

You’ll get “true flavour” as it involves no GMOs, meaning you’ll enjoy naturally derived plants without genetic intervention. The fact that it has retained more antioxidant and bioactive levels (as previously proven in the research about spices) means more intense flavours, as that’s where flavour comes from – bioactive compounds within the spices.

Is the Organic Trend Really Here to Stay?

In the EU, the market is growing slowly, but steadily. The region remains the second biggest market after the USA, ahead of China. Besides the innovative character of organic food and farming, growing policy support and European citizens’ increasing demand for high-quality, sustainable food production. This is well represented in the growing per capita consumption of organic products, which reached 110 EUR on average. 

Final Take: Better Quality, Better Environment, and Better Flavour

Choosing organic cinnamon means better quality, better for the environment, fewer health risks, and authentic flavours.

How do you properly choose organic cinnamon? Find one that has a proven track record – from sustainability efforts to EU bio certifications. Organic farming and sustainability have been ORIGINE’s core values since its inception.

ORIGINE’s cinnamon is organic – from farm to finished products. Choose responsibly, choose ORIGINE.

Find more articles on cinnamon and sustainability:

• Korintje Cinnamon and Its Legacy of Matrilineal Stewardship
• Cinnamon Sustainable Production
• Cinnamon Health Risks: Separating Facts from Fear

FAQ

What is the difference between cinnamon and organic cinnamon?
The difference between regular cinnamon and organic cinnamon is how it’s grown. Organic cinnamon is grown without any synthetic pesticides or chemical fertilizers, which keeps the soil and environment healthier.

What are the benefits of organic cinnamon?

Full spectrum and purity of flavours due to richer soil and lack of chemical/synthetic treatments, better conditions of soil health, better for biodiversity in the surrounding area, and less exposure toward harmful chemicals.

Is it important to buy organic cinnamon to avoid heavy metals?

Choosing organic cinnamon helps reduce the risk of lead contamination, however, consumers should be aware of other factors. For example its origin, Indonesian cinnamon has generally lower lead and heavy metal content than Vietnamese cinnamon. Ultimately, choose trusted suppliers, check safety alerts from Food Safety Authorities, and ask for a Certificate of Analysis.