Cinnamon tea: choosing whole spice and controlling strength
Make a clear, aromatic cup by using whole cinnamon and tasting the infusion before sweetening.
Choose cinnamon for the cup
Whole cinnamon sticks are convenient for an infusion because they can be removed easily. Ground cinnamon does not dissolve like sugar and can leave sediment throughout a drink. Start with the form your recipe specifies and use a saucepan or teapot that is simple to pour from. Inspect the spice for freshness of aroma before making a large pot.
Related reading: Fresh ginger tea: slice size changes the strength.
Let strength develop gradually
A longer infusion generally produces a stronger flavor, but the result also depends on the size and type of cinnamon. Taste a small cooled spoonful during preparation rather than waiting until serving to discover that it is too intense. If it becomes stronger than you like, dilute with hot water. More sweetener will make it sweeter without reducing the spice concentration.
Sweeten individual cups
Set out honey or sugar separately when serving several people. This keeps one guest’s preferred sweetness from determining the whole pot. Warm cups make a small serving feel more inviting, and a fine strainer catches any broken pieces of bark. Use a spoon for honey rather than letting a sticky bottle pass over the table and drip onto cups.
Pair the aroma with a modest dessert
A plain biscuit, a small semolina cake square or a few dates can accompany cinnamon tea without competing with it. Avoid stacking several strongly spiced desserts beside an already aromatic drink. Shop for food-grade cinnamon sticks in a size suitable for the pot, and label the finished drink by its ingredients rather than making health or treatment claims about the infusion.
COOK IT AT HOME
Cinnamon orange tea
Whole cinnamon gives a cleaner cup than a spoonful of powder, which tends to float and settle into grit. A small strip of orange zest lifts the aroma without adding juice. This is a warm flavored infusion for enjoyment, with no medicinal claim or need to make it exceptionally strong.
- Makes
- 2 servings
- Prep
- 5 minutes
- Cook
- 12 minutes
- Additional time
- None
A home-kitchen recipe to accompany this guide. Ingredient brands and equipment can change cooking times; use the texture and doneness cues below.
Ingredients
- 2 cups water
- 1 cinnamon stick (about 3 inches)
- 1 strip orange zest (2 inches), washed and without white pith
- 1 teaspoon honey, optional
- 2 thin orange slices for serving
Step-by-step method
- Place water and cinnamon stick in a small saucepan. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
- Reduce heat and simmer, partially covered, for 8–10 minutes. Avoid a hard boil that evaporates much of the water.
- Add orange zest and simmer 2 minutes more. Taste carefully; if the cinnamon is strong enough earlier, take the pan off the heat.
- Remove the stick and zest with a clean spoon or strain through a tea strainer. Stir in optional honey while the drink is warm.
- Divide between two cups and add an orange slice to each. If the infusion reduced noticeably, top up with a little freshly boiled water.
- Serve warm rather than scalding. For a lighter second cup, steep the used cinnamon briefly in fresh hot water, but discard it afterward.
Helpful tips & substitutions
- Choose a stick with a pleasant aroma and no musty smell; old cinnamon can be woody without much fragrance.
- Do not substitute a full tablespoon of ground cinnamon. If only powder is available, use a small pinch and expect sediment.
Storage & make-ahead
Refrigerate cooled tea in a covered container within 2 hours and use within 2 days. Remove the zest and cinnamon before storage.
How to serve it
Pair with a small date pastry or plain toast.
Ingredients to explore at the market
Shop selected ingredients for this article and recipe. Check the form, quantity and package label against the recipe above; availability varies by store.
- cinnamon sticks — Abido Spices Whole Cinnamon Sticks 100g
- honey — Origin Pure Natural Wildflower Honey 227g
- sugar — Domino Granulated Sugar 453g Box
Recipe & further reading
Explore this independent food blog for another approach and its full recipe or guide: Cinnamon Tea — Maureen Abood