How long can you expect cinnamon to last? Does it ever actually go bad or expire? Learn how you can buy the freshest cinnamon.
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Alright you are ready to do some baking.
You reach back into the depths of your pantry to find some cinnamon.
You look at the container. You find a best by date on it that was 6 months ago. You wonder should I still use this cinnamon? Is it going to be ok?
Let us show you the ins and outs to knowing when cinnamon is the best and when it's time to look for a new container.
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❓ Does it Expire?
Depends what you mean by expire? You may find a best by date on a container of cinnamon. This was likely put on by the company to share when they think their product is best consumed by. It does not mean it goes bad. In fact I have never had cinnamon go bad.
The only way for cinnamon to go bad is if you get water into it or bugs. If it stays dry it will last and last and last.
📦 How to Store
Cinnamon and every spice should be stored in a dry place. Moisture is the enemy of spices. Mold could grow if they are in a damp place and are not sealed well. I know people like to keep spices near their store to make life easier. Just be sure where you have them isn't too warm or humid.
A glass jar is the best thing for storing spices. If you ever buy them in bulk at a store, you often put them in plastic bags. I would suggest having a jar to put the in when you get home instead of keeping the in the plastic. Those bags are easy to rip too so you might end up with a hole.
📅 How Long Does It Last?
So we aren't worrying about the cinnamon going bad to the point that it can't be used. I ever heard of anyone getting sick of using 10 year old cinnamon to make cinnamon rolls. They just were probably disappointed in how they turne out.
What we should be concerned about is if the cinnamon still has any flavor.
This is why I don't recommend buying those giant containers of cinnamon at places like Costco. Unless you are going to use that much in a 6 month time period, it's going to lose a lot of it's potency.
The amount of time I would give ground cinnamon before changing it out for a fresher jar is 6 months.
RELATED - Why are Cinnamon Rolls Dense?
😝 How to Tell if Bad?
If you ever see any mold, toss it all out.
Otherwise cinnamon won't really go bad. It just won't taste like anything. If you are not sure if you should buy a new jar of cinnamon, do a smell and taste test. If it's really weak, it's not going to be better when you cook or bake with it, so it's time to replace it. You are doing your food any favors by using bland spices.
🙋 Are Cinnamon Sticks Better?
In terms of lasting longer, whole cinnamon sticks are better. They can last for a couple years without losing much flavor. It's when the cinnamon is ground is when the time clock starts ticking on maximum flavor.
Just as whole coffee beans, freshly ground, produce the most flavorful coffee, whole spices, freshly ground, do the same. Both of these contain volatile oils that dissipate over time. Cinnamon sticks are a great way to go.
The issue I think the problem most people have with cinnamon sticks is grinding them fine enough. I recommend using a coffee grinder. And even then I would sift the cinnamon with a sieve when done to make sure you get out any pieces that didn't get ground into a powder.
🏆 Freshest Cinnamon
Spices like cinnamon can actually spend a lot of time in warehouses, shipping containers, distribution centers, packing facility, etc. before they even make to the grocery store. It's common for this to take years. Yes I said years, not months. In all the waiting, flavor is lost.
Your best bet is to go directly to a source that can cut out all the middle men and get the spices from the farmers. Burlap & Barrel Single Origin Spices do just that. They are able to work with individual farmers in all different parts of the world. The result is quality spices that I have never found a match for.
They offer a few different cinnamon products
- Royal Cinnamon | Best for baking
- Cinnamon Verum | Best for cooking/savory dishes
- Cinnamon Tree Leaves | Best for teas & stews
If you like you can buy all of these together in their Cinnamon Collection.
Since they do work with farmers, it's possible they may go out of stock of an item or stop carrying, so always good to check to make sure they go what you want.
🏃 How to Use Up Cinnamon Faster?
If you are finding that you aren't using your cinnamon up within that 6 month time period let me give you some more ways to use it.
- Add it to beef, like pot roast. Just a small amount will enhance the flavor of the beef without making it taste like a cinnamon roll!
- Use it to make a simple, yet tasty ground cinnamon tea. I add milk or orange juice to the tea to increase the flavor. You could put some in your coffee or hot cocoa too.
- Sprinkle some onto sliced fruit or stir into applesauce.
- When making a homemade smoothie, add some cinnamon to taste.
What is the most common way you buy cinnamon? Do you buy a small or larger container? Where do you get it from? Leave your answers in the comments below.
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