Spice guide / Cassia

What is Cassia?

Hard bark quills commonly sold as dalchini in Indian retail.

Short answer: Cassia (Hindi: दालचीनी (often labelled; confirm species)) is Cinnamomum cassia. Sweet, woody, stronger than Ceylon cinnamon. Culinary use only — not a medicine.

Common nameCassia
Hindiदालचीनी (often labelled; confirm species)
Sanskrit
Botanical nameCinnamomum cassia
FamilyLauraceae
OriginTraded widely in India; species must be declared on pack where required
Main producing regionsKerala, Northeast India
FlavourSweet, woody, stronger than Ceylon cinnamon
Aroma
Formswhole, powder
Retail packs100g–5kg (typical; see products)
Bulk10kg+

What is Cassia?

Cassia (Cinnamomum cassia and related cassia barks) is what many Indian kitchens call dalchini. True cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum) is thinner, more fragile bark. Do not label cassia as Ceylon cinnamon unless the lot is that species.

History of Cassia

Origin

Traded widely in India; species must be declared on pack where required

Growing regions

Kerala, Northeast India

How it is grown

Harvest

Processing

Grades

  • Standard: Admin-configured commercial grade
  • Premium: Admin-configured higher visual/purity selection
  • Export Grade: Only show when export specifications exist for the lot
  • Machine Cleaned: Machine cleaned — confirm process for the lot

Only grades that apply to a lot should be shown at purchase. These are templates, not invented industry certificates.

Flavour, aroma and colour

Sweet, woody, stronger than Ceylon cinnamon. . Colour: . Heat: none.

Culinary uses

  • Biryani
  • Garam masala
  • Tea
  • Sweets

Traditional uses

Recorded in culinary tradition. Traditional use is not scientific evidence of a medical effect.

SpicyCenter does not claim that spices cure, treat or prevent disease.

Storage and shelf life

Nutrition

Nutrition declaration is pack-specific and must be completed before UK/EU sale.

Buying guide

Retail packs typically run from 100g to 5kg. Bulk starts at 10kg. Selling prices are checkout prices. Indian market figures, when present, are indicative only.

Indicative Indian market price

No dated market print has been imported yet. Admin must enter min/max/average with market, grade, date and source.

Indicative Indian market prices must be imported or entered with date, market, grade and source. Empty values are intentional so the site does not fabricate today's rates.

Market prices →

Related spices

Retail and bulk

The spice kitchen list

Join the SpicyCenter Family

Get spice arrivals, recipes and flavour inspiration — harvest notes for UK and European kitchens.