Best Organic Ceylon Cinnamon: Simply Organic Ground Ceylon Cinnamon

Yes, there are different types of cinnamon! 

Today, most cinnamon comes from two varieties: Vietnamese/Chinese (Cinnamomum cassia)  or Ceylon (Cinnamomum verum). Both cinnamon types are derived from related plants, but each variety has a somewhat different taste profile.

Indonesia is the world’s largest producer of Vietnamese/Chinese cinnamon, with China close behind. About 8% of the world’s cinnamon is imported from Ceylon.

This article focuses on Ceylon cinnamon (also called Sri Lanka cinnamon)—most folks think it has a milder, sweeter taste compared to Vietnamese cinnamon.

For the best organic Ceylon cinnamon, we’d recommend Simply Organic Ground Ceylon Cinnamon—it topped other brands in our blind taste test.

Here’s more:

What We Liked

• Light scent.

• USDA organic.

 • No GMO’s.

• Kosher.

• Easy-shake cap.

• Delicious!

What Needs Work

• More cinnamon aroma? In general Ceylon cinnamon has a milder scent than Vietnamese—and some are milder than  others. Some of our testers thought this cinnamon lacked aroma.

Best Budget-Friendly: Frontier Co-op Cinnamon Powder, Ceylon

Yes, Ceylon cinnamon can be pricey—since it is imported from one place (Ceylon, also known as Sri Lanka), it is more rare than Vietnamese cinnamon.

But there is good news: we did find one brand of cinnamon that passed our tastes AND is easy on the wallet: Frontier Co-op’s Ceylon cinnamon powder.

Here’s more:

What We Liked

• Mild, sweet flavor.

• Great for hot drinks or baked goods.

• No GMO’s.

• USDA Organic.

What Needs Work

• Grind is a bit more coarse than others. 

Best Cinnamon For Pancakes: Organic Ceylon Cinnamon Powder

If you love cinnamon in pancakes or sprinkled over oatmeal, we’d suggest this brand: FGO Store’s Organic Ceylon Cinnamon Powder. We loved the aroma and overall flavor profile—plus it is easy on the budget, compared to other cinnamon brands we tested.

What We Liked

• Wonderful for oatmeal!

• Nice aroma.

• USDA Organic.

• No GMO’s.

• Imported from Sri Lanka.

What Needs Work

• Resealing the bag could be easier.

Best Ceylon Cinnamon For Baking: Organic Wise Ceylon Cinnamon

We liked this cinnamon for baking—it’s fragrant and smooth tasting. That’s great for tarts or cakes, where you want cinnamon flavor without too many spicy notes.

Here’s more:

What We Liked

• Earthy, fragrant aroma.

• USDA Organic.

• No GMO’s.

• Grown in Sri Lanka.

What Needs Work

• Too strong aroma? When used for tea, some folks thought this cinnamon was a bit overpowering in aroma. We can see that point, which is why we liked it best for baking.

Why Trust Us

We’ve been rating and reviewing products for the home and families since 1994. We do hands-on testing—we buy the products with our own money and evaluate with an eye toward quality, ease of use and affordability.

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