There is More to Cinnamon than Meets the Eye

The Complex Production Process of Ceylon Cinnamon

Harvested cinnamon branches are first peeled off to expose the inner barks. The barks are then rubbed to loosen up and make it easy for people to skin them to stripes. Finally, the stripes are folded into a stick that has many layers and dried.

Many of those who work with harvested cinnamon branches are the descendants of a special caste called Salagama. The caste members were the only ones allowed to produce Ceylon cinnamon during Portuguese colonial time in Sri Lanka. There are now fewer and fewer people willing to put time and effort into the complex, manual production of Ceylon cinnamon. At the same time, no machinery can handle the intricate production. Therefore, the few suppliers of hand-made Ceylon cinnamon could be another reason behind its outrageous price.

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