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 name | Cassia |
|---|---|
| Hindi | दालचीनी (often labelled; confirm species) |
| Sanskrit | — |
| Botanical name | Cinnamomum cassia |
| Family | Lauraceae |
| Origin | Traded widely in India; species must be declared on pack where required |
| Main producing regions | Kerala, Northeast India |
| Flavour | Sweet, woody, stronger than Ceylon cinnamon |
| Aroma | — |
| Forms | whole, powder |
| Retail packs | 100g–5kg (typical; see products) |
| Bulk | 10kg+ |
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.
Whole vs ground
Cassia is sold whole (or as seed/leaf) and as a ground form. Whole keeps aroma longer in a UK cupboard; grind or crush just before cooking when you can. Powder is convenient for daily dal, curry and marinades — buy a pack you will finish in a few months.
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
Cassia is a culinary seasoning. Nutrition values are pack-specific and must match the label for UK/EU sale. We do not claim that this spice treats, cures or prevents disease.
Buying guide
Tell us the quantity you need, from 100 gm to 1 metric ton. Prices are not published on this website. Availability is confirmed on the enquiry.
Recipes using this spice
- Hyderabadi-style vegetable biryani (home method) — Layered rice with whole garam spices; household recipes vary by region — this is a culinary overview.
- Masala chai — Tea spices crushed to order; recipes vary by household.
- Goan-style vindaloo (home heat) — Vinegar-chilli curry — hotter than a korma; adjust chilli to taste.
