Saigon cinnamon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Saigon cinnamon |
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| Scientific classification | |
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Cinnamomum
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| Species: |
loureiroi
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'Saigon cinnamon (Cinnamomum loureiroi) is also called Vietnamese cinnamon or Vietnamese cassia. In Vietnam, it has names like quế trà my or quế thanh. This plant is an evergreen tree, meaning it stays green all year. It grows naturally in mainland Southeast Asia.
Saigon cinnamon is closely related to cassia (C. cassia). It is also in the same plant family as Ceylon cinnamon (C. verum). Saigon cinnamon has a lot of essential oil, which gives it a strong smell and taste. About 25% of this oil is a compound called cinnamaldehyde. This makes Saigon cinnamon quite valuable.
This type of cinnamon contains a natural compound called coumarin. Coumarin is found in many plants.
Where Saigon Cinnamon Grows and How It's Used
Saigon cinnamon is mostly grown in Vietnam. It is used both in Vietnam and sold to other countries. The Vietnam War made it hard to produce this spice for a while. But since the early 2000s, Vietnam has started exporting it again. It is even sent to the United States, where it was not available for almost 20 years.
Even though it is called Saigon cinnamon, it does not grow near Ho Chi Minh City (which used to be called Saigon). Instead, it grows in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. A main area for its growth is the Quảng Ngãi Province in central Vietnam.
The Flavor and Scent of Saigon Cinnamon
People use Saigon cinnamon mainly for its fragrant bark. The bark has a taste similar to C. cassia. However, Saigon cinnamon has a stronger and more interesting smell and flavor.
In Vietnamese cuisine, the bark of Saigon cinnamon is very important. It is a key ingredient in the broth for phở. Phở is a very popular noodle soup dish in Vietnam.
Gallery
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Vietnam cinnamon bark collected in Bắc Trà My, Quảng Nam, Vietnam
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Vietnam cinnamon leaves collected in Bắc Trà My, Quảng Nam, Vietnam
