Cinnamon

Spice Story

The Bark with a Characteristic Bite

Our quest for the best cinnamon begins in the forests of Southeast Asia where cinnamon trees typically require 15-to-20 years to mature and reach their peak flavor. Our relationship with growers in this region allows us to source the highest quality cinnamon. When it comes to sourcing, McCormick has extensive resources that allow us to bring the most experience and expertise in spice industry. This exceptional market knowledge is fueled by year-round, “on the ground” trend analysis: weather, farmer interest and regular crop surveys.

The cinnamon bark is harvested directly from the tree—McCormick sources premium quality whole cinnamon, which mitigates the chance for added ingredients and contamination that could be encountered by sourcing a pre-ground product.

We collect dozens of cinnamon bark samples and put them through a series of rigorous tests to determine which has the purest aroma and flavor. We select whole quills and large bark pieces that are carefully handled to maintain strict volatile oil standards, ensuring preservation of a consistent high-quality flavor preserve flavor. Our stringent safety practices and natural cleaning process ensures pure cinnamon flavor, with no added fillers.

Dried cinnamon is uniquely packed & shipped to control moisture level and mold. Once it reaches our facilities, it is naturally cleaned and packaged in our spice mill and packaging facilities. Because McCormick’s ground cinnamon is processed and bottled in our own facilities, it consistently maintains the same high-quality and product integrity. McCormick’s purity standards mean the bottle of cinnamon you open today will have the same taste and aroma as the last one and the next one.

Spice Story

Cinnamon:
Did You Know?

Ceylon
Cinnamon Leaf

Fun Fact #1

Cinnamon starts as the bark of the cinnamon tree.

Fun Fact #2

To reach its peak flavor a cinnamon tree needs to mature for up to 20 years.

Fun Fact #3

Cinnamon’s intense flavor, color and aroma come from high levels of volatile oils.

Fun Fact #4

The main flavor component is cinnamic aldehyde; which gives it its characteristic sweet, red-hot aroma and flavor.

Fun Fact #5

Too much or too little moisture produces inferior cinnamon.

SOURCING CINNAMON

We are the only global brand with a facility in Indonesia, ensuring the highest quality of cleaning, sorting and proper drying.
McCormick has year-round “on the ground” resources conducting crop surveys, reporting in on weather and supporting farmers.
We test bark samples from dozens of farmers to determine which has the purest aroma and flavor.
Once sorted and bagged, McCormick cinnamon never again touches human hands.

McCormick Cinnamon is primarily sourced from Indonesia.read more Cinnamon Map