{"id":3979,"date":"2026-05-13T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-05-13T09:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/srilankaexport.com\/?p=3979"},"modified":"2026-05-14T19:24:30","modified_gmt":"2026-05-14T19:24:30","slug":"ceylon-cinnamon-vs-cassia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/srilankaexport.com\/si\/ceylon-cinnamon-vs-cassia\/","title":{"rendered":"Ceylon \u0d9a\u0dd4\u0dbb\u0dd4\u0db3\u0dd4 \u0d91\u0daf\u0dd2\u0dbb\u0dd2\u0dc0 Cassia: \u0d9c\u0dd0\u0db1\u0dd4\u0db8\u0dca\u0d9a\u0dbb\u0dd4\u0dc0\u0db1\u0dca \u0daf\u0dd0\u0db1\u0d9c\u0dad \u0dba\u0dd4\u0dad\u0dd4 \u0daf\u0dda"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>\n.sle-guide{font-family:'Inter',sans-serif;color:#1E2832}\n.sle-guide *{box-sizing:border-box}\n.sle-guide h2{font-size:1.375rem;font-weight:800;color:#0F2A4A;margin:2.5rem 0 .75rem;padding-bottom:8px;border-bottom:2px solid #E8EEF4}\n.sle-guide h3{font-size:1.0625rem;font-weight:700;color:#0A1F35;margin:1.75rem 0 .5rem}\n.sle-guide p{font-size:.9375rem;line-height:1.8;color:#374151;margin:0 0 1rem}\n.sle-guide ul,.sle-guide ol{font-size:.9375rem;line-height:1.8;color:#374151;padding-left:1.5rem;margin:0 0 1rem}\n.sle-guide li{margin-bottom:.3rem}\n.sle-guide table{width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;font-size:.875rem;margin:1rem 0 1.5rem}\n.sle-guide th{background:#0F2A4A;color:#fff;padding:10px 14px;text-align:left;font-weight:600}\n.sle-guide td{padding:9px 14px;border-bottom:1px solid #E8EEF4;color:#374151}\n.sle-guide tr:nth-child(even) td{background:#F8FAFB}\n.sle-callout{background:#E8EEF4;border-left:4px solid #0F2A4A;border-radius:0 8px 8px 0;padding:18px 20px;margin:1.5rem 0;font-size:.9rem;color:#0A1F35;line-height:1.7}\n.sle-callout--warn{background:#FEF3C7;border-left-color:#D97706;color:#92400E}\n.sle-cta-block{background:#0F2A4A;color:#fff;border-radius:12px;padding:36px 32px;text-align:center;margin:2.5rem 0 1rem}\n.sle-cta-block h3{font-size:1.25rem;font-weight:800;margin:0 0 10px}\n.sle-cta-block p{opacity:.88;font-size:.9rem;max-width:440px;margin:0 auto 20px;line-height:1.6}\n.sle-pbtn{display:inline-block;padding:12px 24px;border-radius:6px;font-weight:600;font-size:.875rem;text-decoration:none}\n.sle-pbtn--amber{background:#FF6A00;color:#0A1F35}\n@media(max-width:600px){.sle-cta-block{padding:28px 20px}}\n<\/style>\n<div class=\"sle-guide\" style=\"max-width:800px;margin:0 auto;padding:0 20px;box-sizing:border-box\">\n<p>Most cinnamon sold in global bulk markets is not cinnamon. It is cassia \u2014 a related but botanically distinct spice that carries significantly higher levels of coumarin, a naturally occurring compound subject to strict regulatory limits in the EU and increasingly scrutinised in the US and UK. For buyers sourcing cinnamon at volume, the distinction is not just a matter of flavour profile. It is a compliance question.<\/p>\n<p>This guide explains the botanical difference, the regulatory framework, how Ceylon cinnamon grades work, what HS codes apply, and how to verify the origin of what you are buying.<\/p>\n<h2>The Botanical Difference<\/h2>\n<p>True cinnamon \u2014 <em>Cinnamomum verum<\/em> (also written <em>C. zeylanicum<\/em>) \u2014 originates in Sri Lanka. It is the inner bark of a specific laurel-family tree, harvested by hand in strips and rolled into multi-layer quills by skilled artisans. The resulting quill is soft, tan-coloured, and formed of many thin layers.<\/p>\n<p>Cassia refers to a group of related species \u2014 most commonly <em>C. cassia<\/em> (Chinese cassia), <em>C. aromaticum<\/em>, and <em>C. loureiroi<\/em> (Vietnamese\/Saigon cinnamon). Cassia quills are single-layer, hard, and dark reddish-brown. Cassia represents approximately 90% of global cinnamon trade by volume and is the variety sold in most supermarkets in North America, Germany, and the Middle East.<\/p>\n<p>The flavour difference is real: Ceylon cinnamon is lighter, more floral, and complex. Cassia is stronger, spicier, and more one-dimensional. For food manufacturers using cinnamon as a flavour component in high volumes \u2014 baked goods, breakfast cereals, confectionery, beverages \u2014 the regulatory implications of cassia matter more than the flavour difference.<\/p>\n<h2>Why Coumarin Is a Regulatory Issue<\/h2>\n<div class=\"sle-callout sle-callout--warn\">\n  <strong>EU coumarin limit:<\/strong> Regulation (EC) No 1334\/2008 sets the maximum permitted level of coumarin at <strong>0.1 mg\/kg<\/strong> in everyday foods and <strong>2 mg\/kg<\/strong> in seasonal baked goods. Cassia routinely contains 0.4\u20134 g\/kg of coumarin \u2014 up to 40,000\u00d7 the everyday food limit. Products containing cassia in sufficient quantity may require labelling or reformulation to comply in EU markets.\n<\/div>\n<p>Coumarin is a naturally occurring chemical compound present in the bark of cassia species at concentrations between 0.4% and 4% by dry weight. At high doses, coumarin is hepatotoxic (liver-damaging) in susceptible individuals. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) established a Tolerable Daily Intake (TDI) of 0.1 mg\/kg body weight per day in 2004, which led to the regulatory limits above.<\/p>\n<p>Ceylon cinnamon (<em>C. verum<\/em>) contains coumarin at approximately 0.004% \u2014 roughly 250 times less than the lowest-coumarin cassia varieties. This makes Ceylon cinnamon compliant in EU everyday food applications at any realistic use level.<\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<th>Species<\/th>\n<th>Common Name<\/th>\n<th>\u0db8\u0dd6\u0dbd\u0dcf\u0dbb\u0db8\u0dca\u0db7\u0dba<\/th>\n<th>Coumarin Content<\/th>\n<th>EU Everyday Food<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><em>C. verum<\/em><\/td>\n<td>Ceylon \/ True Cinnamon<\/td>\n<td>\u0dc1\u0dca\u200d\u0dbb\u0dd3 \u0dbd\u0d82\u0d9a\u0dcf\u0dc0<\/td>\n<td>~0.004%<\/td>\n<td>Compliant<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><em>C. cassia<\/em><\/td>\n<td>Chinese Cassia<\/td>\n<td>China<\/td>\n<td>0.4\u20133.0%<\/td>\n<td>Requires limits<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><em>C. loureiroi<\/em><\/td>\n<td>Saigon \/ Vietnamese<\/td>\n<td>Vietnam<\/td>\n<td>1.0\u20134.0%<\/td>\n<td>Requires limits<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><em>C. burmannii<\/em><\/td>\n<td>Korintje \/ Indonesian<\/td>\n<td>Indonesia<\/td>\n<td>0.2\u20131.0%<\/td>\n<td>Requires limits<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p>In the United States, the FDA has not set specific coumarin limits in food, but has acknowledged EFSA&#8217;s findings and considers high-coumarin intake a concern for regular consumers. UK post-Brexit regulations mirror the EU limits. Canada aligns broadly with EU thresholds. If you are formulating a product for EU, UK, or Canadian distribution, sourcing verified Ceylon cinnamon eliminates coumarin compliance risk entirely.<\/p>\n<h2>Ceylon Cinnamon Grades<\/h2>\n<p>Ceylon cinnamon is graded by the diameter and quality of the quill. The Sri Lanka Cinnamon Exporters Association and the EDB recognise five primary grades, with Alba being the highest. Ground cinnamon can be produced from any grade but is often sourced from lower grades or quill offcuts.<\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<th>Grade<\/th>\n<th>Quill Diameter<\/th>\n<th>Appearance<\/th>\n<th>Typical Application<\/th>\n<th>Indicative FOB (USD\/kg)<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Alba (00000)<\/td>\n<td>&lt;6 mm<\/td>\n<td>Tightly rolled, pale tan, very uniform<\/td>\n<td>Premium retail, spice brand flagship<\/td>\n<td>$18\u201328<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>C5 (0000)<\/td>\n<td>6\u20138 mm<\/td>\n<td>Tight, pale, slight irregularity<\/td>\n<td>Quality retail, food service<\/td>\n<td>$12\u201318<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>C4 (000)<\/td>\n<td>8\u201310 mm<\/td>\n<td>Good quill, minor surface marks<\/td>\n<td>Retail blends, food manufacturing<\/td>\n<td>$9\u201313<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>M4 (00)<\/td>\n<td>10\u201312 mm<\/td>\n<td>Looser quill, some splits<\/td>\n<td>Industrial food processing<\/td>\n<td>$7\u201310<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>M5 (0)<\/td>\n<td>12\u201314 mm<\/td>\n<td>Loose quill, mixed quality<\/td>\n<td>Extract, essential oil production<\/td>\n<td>$5\u20138<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p style=\"font-size:.8rem;color:#64748b\">Prices are indicative FOB Colombo for conventional (non-organic) whole quill, 2025\u20132026. Organic-certified adds approximately 25\u201340% premium. Ground cinnamon pricing is generally 10\u201315% below equivalent whole quill grade.<\/p>\n<h2>HS Codes for Ceylon Cinnamon<\/h2>\n<p>Correct HS code classification determines the duty rate applied at destination customs and whether preferential rates under Sri Lanka&#8217;s trade agreements apply (EU GSP+, UK GSP, ISFTA with India).<\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<th>HS Code<\/th>\n<th>Description<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>0906.11<\/td>\n<td>Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) \u2014 neither crushed nor ground (whole quills)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>0906.19<\/td>\n<td>Other cinnamon and cinnamon-tree flowers \u2014 neither crushed nor ground (includes cassia)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>0906.20<\/td>\n<td>Crushed or ground cinnamon and cinnamon-tree flowers (any species)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<div class=\"sle-callout\">\n  <strong>EU GSP+ benefit:<\/strong> Sri Lanka is a beneficiary of the EU&#8217;s GSP+ scheme, which reduces import duty on Ceylon cinnamon (HS 0906.11) to 0% for EU importers. To claim this benefit, the exporter must provide a REX (Registered Exporter) Statement on Origin. Confirm your exporter&#8217;s REX registration before assuming the duty benefit applies.\n<\/div>\n<h2>How to Verify the Origin of Your Cinnamon<\/h2>\n<p>Origin fraud is a documented problem in the cinnamon market \u2014 cassia is sometimes relabelled as Ceylon cinnamon, particularly in ground form where visual inspection is impossible. Practical verification steps:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Request the Certificate of Origin (CO)<\/strong> issued by the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB). This is a formal government-issued document confirming Sri Lankan origin and is required for EU GSP+ duty claims.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Request a COA (Certificate of Analysis)<\/strong> including species identification (thin-layer chromatography or HPLC testing is standard for species verification) and coumarin content.<\/li>\n<li><strong>For ground cinnamon:<\/strong> Request a DNA authentication test report. PCR-based species testing can definitively confirm <em>C. verum<\/em> vs cassia \u2014 several accredited labs in Sri Lanka and the EU offer this service.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Buy from EDB-verified exporters<\/strong> \u2014 on SriLankaExport.com, the <a href=\"\/si\/verified-exporters\/\" style=\"color:#0F2A4A\">Verified Exporter badge<\/a> confirms EDB registration.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2>MOQ, Packaging, and Sourcing Process<\/h2>\n<p>Ceylon cinnamon is typically sold in:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Whole quills:<\/strong> In 25 kg cartons or bales. MOQ typically 100 kg for premium grades (Alba\/C5); 500 kg for mid grades (C4\/M4).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Ground cinnamon:<\/strong> In 25 kg multilayer paper bags with inner PE liner. MOQ typically 250 kg.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The procurement process follows the same steps as all products on this platform: review the listing \u2192 request a quote with grade, quantity, and certification requirements \u2192 receive a tailored quote within 48 hours \u2192 place order and arrange payment (Stripe card or TT\/SWIFT for larger orders). See <a href=\"\/si\/how-we-work\/\" style=\"color:#0F2A4A\">SriLankaExport.com \u0d9a\u0dca\u200d\u0dbb\u0dd2\u0dba\u0dcf \u0d9a\u0dbb\u0db1 \u0d86\u0d9a\u0dcf\u0dbb\u0dba<\/a> for the full step-by-step, and <a href=\"\/si\/trade-compliance\/\" style=\"color:#0F2A4A\">\u0dc0\u0dd9\u0dc5\u0db3 \u0d85\u0db1\u0dd4\u0d9a\u0dd6\u0dbd\u0dad\u0dcf\u0dc0<\/a> for documentation requirements.<\/p>\n<div class=\"sle-cta-block\">\n<h3>Browse Ceylon Cinnamon &amp; Spices<\/h3>\n<p>Source verified Ceylon cinnamon \u2014 all grades, organic and conventional, from EDB-registered exporters.<\/p>\n<p>  <a href=\"\/si\/product-category\/spices-culinary-products\/\" class=\"sle-pbtn sle-pbtn--amber\">Browse Spices \u2192<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Most cinnamon sold in global bulk markets is not cinnamon. It is cassia \u2014 a related but botanically distinct spice that carries significantly higher levels of coumarin, a naturally occurring compound subject to strict regulatory limits in the EU and increasingly scrutinised in the US and UK. For buyers sourcing cinnamon at volume, the distinction [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"enabled","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"disabled","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[864],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3979","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-buyer-guides"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/srilankaexport.com\/si\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3979","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/srilankaexport.com\/si\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/srilankaexport.com\/si\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/srilankaexport.com\/si\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/srilankaexport.com\/si\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3979"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/srilankaexport.com\/si\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3979\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4140,"href":"https:\/\/srilankaexport.com\/si\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3979\/revisions\/4140"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/srilankaexport.com\/si\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3979"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/srilankaexport.com\/si\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3979"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/srilankaexport.com\/si\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3979"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}