How to avoid cinnamon sludge in a beverage

cinnamonconsistency

When you grind up cinnamon (say in a coffee grinder) and use it in a drink, it ends up producing this thick sludge.

You can only prevent the sludge from forming if you leave it very course. Why does it turn to sludge? I swear I once had a container of cinnamon that did not produce sludge. Am I buying the wrong cinnamon?

Best Answer

The cinnamon "sludge" is fiber. The fiber that came from the cinnamon is soluble in water.

  • 10 grams of cinnamon is about 8 grams of fiber (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinnamon).
  • It is safe to eat / drink (fiber!) in moderate amount (Chinese cinnamon or cassia is not safe in high dose because of its toxic component called coumarin).
  • Of course, cinnamon sticks won't produce so much sludge.
  • If you use a hot drink, stir it so it doesn't sit at the bottom.

Ceylon cinnamon ("true" cinnamon) is different from Chinese cinnamon ("cassia") and may have different properties with regard to solubility and water. Check out your container that doesn't sludge, and compare with what you have been using in your grinder.

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