Sweet, a little spicy, and one more valuable than gold, cinnamon is a staple in household meals and desserts around the world. The cinnamon that we use is the dried inner bark of cinnamon trees native to South, Southeast, and East Asia. There are two types of cinnamon that are harvested, Cassia cinnamon and Ceylon cinnamon, each with different tree species.
Cinnamon itself is vegan! However, some may question the harvesting methods of cinnamon. Cinnamon trees are cut down to be harvested but do grow back fairly quickly. Cinnamon trees also thrive in tropical forests and do not require cleared land to be cultivated. Since cinnamon is vegan, also make sure that you purchased Fair Trade cinnamon products to ensure the cultivators are being paid fairly for their amazing work!
While we’ve established that cinnamon is vegan, there are still questions to be answered. What about cinnamon sugar? Is ground cinnamon or cinnamon sticks better? Keep reading to continue exploring the world of cinnamon!
Is Cinnamon Sugar Vegan
Cinnamon sugar is a mixture of ground cinnamon and granulated sugar. Since this is a mixture, if both the ingredients are vegan, we can conclude that cinnamon sugar is vegan. We do know that cinnamon is vegan, but what about the sugar?
It all depends on the type of sugar. Most sugars are processed through bone char. Bone char is a product made from the bones of cattle from foreign countries. It is used to refine sugar and act as a decolorizing filter. Most refined sugars are not vegan, since bone char is used to achieve the white color. Brown sugar is often created by adding molasses to refined sugar to achieve the brown color.
However, there are some vegan refined sugar options that are processed using granular carbon. Always read the labels to find these brands that are free from bone char or are certified vegan. You can also opt for unrefined sugars which are mostly vegan. These include coconut sugar, beet sugar, and date sugar.
As long as you make sure that your sugar is vegan-friendly as well, your cinnamon sugar will be vegan. This is why we recommend making cinnamon sugar at home rather than buying it at a store. What’s our secret to perfect cinnamon sugar? Mix ½ cup of granulated sugar with 1 tablespoon of ground cinnamon for the best ratio!
Are Cinnamon Rolls Vegan
Whether cinnamon rolls are vegan depends on the ingredients and manufacturer, if you are looking to buy them from the store. It will be much easier to know if the cinnamon rolls you are eating are vegan if you made them at home yourself but cinnamon rolls can be hard to make.
We have put together a list of cinnamon rolls that can be found at stores and online that are vegan as well as a couple recipes to help you make vegan cinnamon rolls.
Vegan Cinnamon Rolls Found in Stores
Our first option is Annie’s Homegrown Organic Cinnamon Rolls. Annie’s Cinnamon Rolls avoid artificial flavorings, hydrogenated oils, and high-fructose corn syrup. It is also certified organic and source only non-GMO ingredients. However, there is a possibility of cross-contamination with milk ingredients, so stay wary.
The next option is Immaculate’s Organic Cinnamon Rolls with Icing. Immaculate’s cinnamon rolls also avoid artificial flavors and bleached flour. The ingredient list is easily readable and uses ingredients that are certified organic and certified Kosher. Similar to Annie’s cinnamon rolls, these rolls may have cross-contamination with milk ingredients as well.
Vegan Cinnamon Roll Recipes
Our first recipe is created by the Crazy Vegan Kitchen. Their vegan cinnamon rolls are fluffy and delicious without yeast! This recipe is also dairy free and only takes about twenty minutes to make. The best part is that this recipe allows you to add your own preferences in milks, oils, and vegan butter.
The next recipe is 1 Hour Vegan Cinnamon Rolls by Nora Taylor. This recipe does use yeast but includes soy milk, vegan butter, and ground cinnamon. You can top off these cinnamon rolls with a decadent vegan cream cheese icing as featured in the recipe.
Remember while these recipes and brands result in amazing cinnamon rolls, you know what is best for your diet as a vegan. A little time on the internet goes a long way in making sure you are consuming vegan products that are eco-friendly and sustainably sourced.
Is Cinnamon Powder the Same as Ground Cinnamon
As it turns out, cinnamon powder and ground cinnamon are pretty much the same as long as they are the same type of cinnamon. Simply put, as long as both cinnamon powder and ground cinnamon are both made from Cassia cinnamon or Ceylon cinnamon, then there will be no difference in taste. The only difference between cinnamon powder and ground cinnamon is the texture, cinnamon powder will be much finer than ground cinnamon.
Which Is Better Cinnamon Sticks or Powder
Cinnamon sticks are harvested from bark of the smaller branches of cinnamon trees that are less potent. In this case, potent refers to the strength of the cinnamon. However, ground cinnamon and cinnamon powder are harvested from the trunks of cinnamon trees, which have greater potency. But unlike cinnamon sticks, the potency of ground cinnamon and cinnamon powder is decreased as they are processed by grinding.
When stored correctly, both cinnamon sticks and ground and powdered cinnamon can last for a long time. However, cinnamon sticks will last slightly longer as ground spices do have a shorter shelf life.
Finally, it all depends on the method of cooking that requires cinnamon sticks or powders. Generally, more liquid-type dishes use cinnamon sticks, whereas dry meals and desserts tend to require ground or powdered cinnamon.
The debate between cinnamon sticks and ground or powdered cinnamon is all relative to you. What are you making? How long do you need to store it for? Ask yourself these questions before choosing one, or go for both!
Should I Wash Cinnamon Sticks
Yes! Washing cinnamon sticks is essential to be able to reuse them. To properly wash your cinnamon sticks before reusing, carefully rinse the stick under hot water and set it out to dry completely. Then, before using it the next time, run it over a grater a couple of times to release the flavors. Cinnamon sticks can be reused up to 5 times before needing to be discarded.
References:
https://www.sustained.kitchen/latest/2018/11/28/sustainability-profile-cinnamon
https://www.britannica.com/plant/cinnamon
https://www.peta.org/living/food/is-sugar-vegan/
https://www.thespruceeats.com/how-to-make-cinnamon-sugar-3060767
https://www.livestrong.com/article/497275-cinnamon-powder-vs-ground-cinnamon/