Cinnamon has always been a household spice that brings holiday cheer and comfort to both the young and the young-at-heart for centuries. Used in herbal remedies throughout the ages, modern research has elevated this humble spice to a superfood. Research indicates that cinnamon aids in lowering glucose levels and blood pressure while increasing HDL levels (the good cholesterol) in our bodies. Its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties assist in reducing menstrual cramps and is said to assist in fat burning and weight loss. It is also mentioned that cinnamon may have properties to reduce the growth of cancerous cells. Read more about its numerous health benefits here.

Therefore, it comes as no surprise that more and more people are happy to include cinnamon in their daily diets due to its health benefits. While cinnamon can be consumed in numerous ways, consuming it as a beverage is gaining momentum.

So if you are on a quest to find how to make cinnamon tea look no further. Here are a few methods to brew your perfect cup of cinnamon tea.

Choosing your cinnamon

To make the perfect cup of cinnamon tea with all its nutritional benefits, first research more about Cinnamon. Among the different types of cinnamon available in the world, Ceylon Cinnamon contains a higher nutritional profile and a more subtle taste. Indigenous to Sri Lanka, the bark is thinner and brittle and not as hard as the other varieties. Further, it contains only trace amounts of coumarin compared to Cassia Cinnamon which could be harmful and toxic to humans if consumed in large quantities.

Method 1 – Boiling Cinnamon sticks

Boiling cinnamon sticks is a great method if you already have it in your pantry. Simply boil a stick of cinnamon in a pan with two cups of water. Simmer for 15 minutes, strain, add a sweetener of choice and it is ready for consumption. While bees honey is the recommended sweetener, vegans can opt for treacle or a piece of jaggery on the side. This can be enjoyed hot or as an iced tea.

Leftovers of the brew can be refrigerated in a sealed jar or container and used within 2 – 3 days.

Method 2 – Cinnamon powder

Add half a teaspoon of cinnamon powder to a cup of water, steep for 2 – 3 mins, strain and serve. This too can be accompanied with a sweetener of choice.

Ceylon Cinnamon ‘tea’ bags and sachets

Ceylon cinnamon tea bags are a convenient addition to any pantry to brew a cuppa in minutes with the least amount of energy. Simply add the tea bag to a cup of hot water (let the boiling water sit for 5 minutes before adding the bag in), steep for 5 minutes and sip away with or without your favorite sweetener.

The Pure Ceylon Cinnamon Brew from Nature’s Rare uses only organic Ceylon cinnamon, with no added caffeine, artificial flavors or preservatives. Certified as USDA Organic, non-GMO and 100% vegan, the teas from Nature’s Rare use genuine Ceylon cinnamon in their tea sachets instead of the cinnamon-flavoring commonly found in today’s teas.

Method 3 – Cinnamon infused water

Enjoy infused water? Just drop a cinnamon stick into your favorite reusable water bottle, add hot water and let it steep for a few hours and get cinnamon infused water to enjoy throughout the day! Remember to remove the stick after a few hours.

Method 4 – Cinnamon Milk

Heat a cup of milk in a pan until it just begins to bubble, add ½ teaspoon of cinnamon, a pinch of nutmeg and a sweetener of choice. Milk substitutes such as oat and almond milk also work well with this recipe. Cinnamon milk helps relieve gastric reflux and is the perfect drink to relax after a hard day’s work.

Recommended Flavor Combos

Here are some flavor combos that you can try with your Ceylon cinnamon tea.

• Add half a teaspoon of turmeric and ginger powder and you will get Turmeric Ginger Cinnamon tea which is great to reduce inflammation, strengthen the immune system and detoxify your body. Alternatively, you can infuse Nature’s Rare Ceylon Ginger and Ceylon Turmeric brew sachets to your Ceylon Cinnamon brew sachet to achieve the perfect Cinnamon Ginger and turmeric tea.
• Add a dash of lime or lemon for Cinnamon Lemon Tea to enhance digestion, balance blood sugar and boost immunity.
• Nutmeg is known to have nutrients that improve sleep and reduce stress.

Sweeteners

Cinnamon is naturally sweet and does not always require a sweetener. However, if an extra burst of sweetness is required, organic bee honey is highly recommended due to its health benefits. Vegans can also opt for other natural sweeteners such as agave honey, treacle’s, maple syrup and jaggery.

In a fast-paced world, opting for a lifestyle that contains a good diet and exercise helps our overall well-being. Enjoying a cup of Ceylon cinnamon tea on a regular basis will certainly give the boost that is needed in a health-conscious lifestyle.