There are no differences between storing cinnamon sticks and storing other types of spices. That means to store cinnamon sticks, you should keep them in a cool, dry and dark warehouse or container.
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How to store cinnamon sticks: Overview
If you have a few packages of cinnamon in your spice cabinet, you might be curious about how long it will last and how to store cinnamon sticks. Cinnamon doesn’t actually go bad as other spices do, but it does gradually lose its flavor and smell.
How to store cinnamon sticks: overview
Cinnamon (Cinnamomum Verum), which is made from the dried inner bark of an evergreen tree in the laurel family, is frequently used in baked goods, curries, and sweet drinks. In addition to adding warmth and sweetness to food, cinnamon has a wealth of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant qualities.
So to spice up your bowl of steaming porridge, add a touch of cinnamon. Make your morning coffee more interesting. Also, use a lot of the food you make. We’ll discuss how long cinnamon lasts, how to store it properly to maximize shelf life, how to determine if cinnamon is genuinely “bad,” how to revitalize expired cinnamon, and suggestions for what to do with somewhat expired cinnamon.
The shelf life of cinnamon sticks
The shelf life of cinnamon sticks is affected by a variety of different circumstances. Cinnamon sticks which is stored properly, have an impressive shelf life compared to ground cinnamon. Unlike the powdered form, which can lose potency within six to twelve months, cinnamon sticks retain their freshness and essential oils for up to two to four years. This makes them a better choice for businesses that require long-lasting spice quality. However, several factors can affect this shelf life, including exposure to light, humidity, and air. Over time, even whole cinnamon sticks may gradually lose their smell and flavor, but they’re still safe to use.
Shelf life of cinnamon sticks
To check if your cinnamon sticks are still fresh, break off a small piece and crush it with your fingers. If you can still smell that rich aroma, the sticks are still good to use. If not, they may have lost some flavor.
The USDA provides the following general guidelines for cinnamon’s shelf life when kept at room temperature:
| Form | Storage Time |
| Packaged ground cinnamon | 2-3 years (best used within 6-12 months) |
| Whole cinnamon sticks | 2-4 years |
To keep your cinnamon sticks as fresh as possible, it’s important to store them correctly. In the next section, you’ll find four simple tips to help you do just that.
How to properly store cinnamon sticks to extend shelf life?
When air and light interact to degrade the quality of food, including herbs and spices, photodegradation takes place.
How to properly store cinnamon to extend shelf life
By carefully storing your cinnamon and other herbs and spices, you may avoid photodegradation. Here are some pointers:
Keep it cool
Spices and herbs shouldn’t be kept in cabinets over the stove or close to appliances like the dishwasher or oven that produce heat. Extreme heat or unstable temperatures can cause the essential oils in cinnamon to break down, leading to a loss of flavor and aroma over time. Instead, try to store things in a cool pantry or cupboard. If you buy cinnamon sticks in bulk, you can store them in a cool warehouse. The best temperature for keeping cinnamon fresh is around 20–25°C or 68–77°F.
Keep it dry
Herbs and spices hate moisture because it can lead to the growth of mold. Maintaining cinnamon in a temperature-stable environment will help prevent moisture from condensation, which happens when temperatures change from hot to cold (or vice versa).
Protect from light
Direct sunlight or bright light can cause cinnamon sticks to lose their color and aroma faster. Store them in a dark cupboard or pantry will help preserve the cinnamon sticks natural oils and keep their freshness longer.
Store in airtight containers
While plastic containers could be suitable for short-term usage, utilizing glass, ceramic, or metal containers will increase the shelf life of cinnamon (such as food-grade stainless steel).
5 tips to store cinnamon sticks
Long-term use is better suited for these materials. They don’t collect scents as plastic does, and they not only offer a superior airtight seal. Additional light-blocking glass containers come in an amber color.
Avoid storing near strong-smelling foods
Cinnamon sticks can absorb odors from other foods, which may affect their aroma and flavor. It is important to store cinnamon sticks away from strong-smelling items like garlic, onions, or other spices. Keeping them in a separate container or area within your pantry can help prevent flavor contamination.
Can Cinnamon Sticks Go Bad?
Cinnamon can technically spoil if it is kept for a long time. You can find the expiry date on every cinnamon pack you buy. This date does not, however, imply a period of time after which cinnamon will not be safe to consume, unlike dates for other food products. Usually, I advise throwing it away by the expiry date.
Your cinnamon will still be safe to eat even after this time has passed, but the flavor and aroma will gradually wane. This means that even if you’ll still achieve your goals, you might need to use more than normal depending on how much time has gone by since the date.
Can Cinnamon Sticks Go Bad?
Before the cinnamon starts to lose its flavor, its quality will remain constant for a year. Depending on its form, cinnamon takes a different amount of time to taste pleasant. Cinnamon that has been ground will keep for up to a year. It is anticipated that the quills will last up to two years.
If you have cinnamon quills, chop one up or take some cinnamon powder and rub it between your fingers. You can assess the intensity by tasting or smelling the powder after warming it between your fingertips.
Follow your nose and eyes if you don’t want to taste the cinnamon. You should replace it if the color has faded or if the smell has lost its effectiveness or is no longer strong.
When they are polluted with other foods, spices can also become bad. The cinnamon itself will become contaminated and unfit for use if bits of other food gets inside the jar and spoil. The likelihood of this occurring is substantially larger because other foods have a lot lower ability to spoil than spices do.
Your cinnamon’s shelf life will vary depending on the variety you purchase and how it was made. Cinnamon that has been ground up tends to lose its distinctive flavor and aroma more quickly since the powder form is more susceptible to environmental influences. For those who use cinnamon frequently, ground cinnamon is preferable.
Buying cinnamon sticks or quills is a good idea if you want something that will last for a while. The flavor is locked inside the quills because of the way they are made, making them last longer. You can grind some cinnamon into your dish each time you need to use it to get the same robust flavor.
How to tell if cinnamon is bad?
You shouldn’t be concerned about getting sick from swallowing slightly stale cinnamon unless your packaged cinnamon exhibits evidence of mildew, moisture, or other sorts of degradation.
The USDA states that goods that are shelf-stable and have passed their “best before” date, including herbs and spices, are still safe to consume and cinnamon health benefits are decreased. This “best by” date is merely a manufacturer’s best guess as to when the food will be at its freshest.
How to tell if cinnamon is bad?
Freshly ground or whole cinnamon sticks have an unmistakable aroma and flavor that is sweet with a hint of spice and everything nice. The volatile oils that give cinnamon its distinctive flavor gradually disappear over time.
The outcomes? Cinnamon is a poor replica of what it once was. You may still use it in baking and cooking, just use a little bit more than the recipe calls for.
Cinnamon isn’t as temperamental as certain spices, like ground pepper, which notably changes flavor when it becomes stale. Even if it’s a little weaker and has less aroma than you might prefer, the flavor is largely unaltered.
Where to buy new cinnamon sticks with a long shelf life?
If you are asking yourself where to buy Cassia cinnamon, we highly recommend you K-Agriculture Factory. K-Agriture Factory is self-assured that it is among the top producers and exporters of cinnamon, specifically cinnamon chips. We fulfill our aim to export Vietnamese agricultural products while constantly maintaining the highest standard of broken cinnamon sticks at incredibly low costs.
K-Agriculture Factory
One of the proudest agricultural exports of Vietnam in general and of K-Agriculture, in particular, is cinnamon sticks. You know where to find premium cinnamon if you’re seeking a source of broken cinnamon sticks. Being a giant in trading cinnamon products internationally in Vietnam – the biggest broken cinnamon, split cinnamon and cinnamon stick exporter since 1996, K-agriculture is proud to bring buyers broken cinnamon with uniform quality standards and affordable prices.
| Types of cinnamon | Price (USD/MT) |
| Cigar cinnamon | 3770 USD/MT |
| Broken cinnamon | 1450 USD/MT |
| Split cinnamon | 2270 USD/MT |
Contact us now for a more specific quotation through:
Website: k-agriculture.com
WhatsApp: +84855555837
Email: info@k-agriculture.com
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