What is a Cinnamon Stick?

Cinnamon sticks are the dried bark of a tree from the Cinnamomum family. CREDIT: Dreamstime. View full size image

People have been spicing up their lives with cinnamon sticks since biblical times.

Cinnamon sticks begin as tree bark. Most of the harvested spice comes from tropical Sri Lankan trees that belong to the Cinnamomum family. But people have planted trees all over the world produce the tasty treat.

During a harvest, the inner bark of the tree is removed in strips. When the bark dries, it shrinks and curls into the form of sticks. Voila, cinnamon sticks!

Cinnamon powder is made from finely ground cinnamon sticks.

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