Lauraceae

• Uses: Cinnamon is an ancient spice mentioned several times in the Old Testament. There are other species of Cinnamon but Ceylon Cinnamon has a more delicate aroma and is the dominating quality on the Western market.

  The essential oil of cinnamom bark (max. 4%) is dominated by the two phenylpropanoids cinnamaldehyd (3-phenyl-acrolein, 65 to 75%) and eugenol (4-(1-propene-3-yl)-2-methoxy-phenol, 5 to 10%). Other phenylpropanoids (safrol, cinnamic acid esters), mono- and sesquiterpenes, although occurring only in traces, do significantly influence the taste of cinnamon. Another trace component relevant for the quality is 2-heptanone (methyl-n-amyl-ketone). The slime content of the bark is rather low (3%).

  From cinnamon leaves, another essential oil (1%) can be obtained that consists mainly of eugenol (70 to 95%) and can be used as a substitute for clove. Small amounts (1 to 5%) of cinnamaldehyde, benzyl benzoate, linalool and β-caryophyllene have also been found.

  A completely different composition is found in the essential oil of cinnamon root bark; here, camphor (60%) dominates. This oil is not used commercially.

Images of this accession: {and/or its current location}

Accession Data:

• Accession # 198800172
• Source: Unknown
• Accession Date: 01-20-1988
• Bench: 1203 - AUS:India C
• Qty: 2 confirmed on 11-10-2009

Classification:

• Division: Magnoliophyta
• Class: Magnoliopsida
• SubClass: magnoliids
• Order: Laurales
• SubOrder:
• Family: Lauraceae
• SubFamily:
• Tribe:
• SubTribe:

References:

1. Gernot Katzer's Spice Dictionary - last visited on 14 November 2002

page generated on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:36:35 -0500