Saigon Cinnamon

Cinnamomum loureiroi

Physical Characteristics

Cinnamomum loureiroi is an evergreen Tree growing to 18 m (59ft) by 15 m (49ft) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid and very alkaline soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Distribution

E. Asia - Vietnam.

Habitats

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers Fruit Inner bark Oil Edible Uses: Drink Oil Edible portion: Bark, Spice, Flower Buds. The bark, and an essential oil obtained from it, are much used as a flavouring in a wide range of foods[ 301 ]. Highly esteemed in China and Japan, and considered by many to be superior to the more widely used cinnamon (C. verum)[ 301 ]. The bark is sweeter than cinnamon and is used for baking and is made into a cordial[ 238 ]. The bark is usually harvested from young branches[ 418 ]. The bark is peeled from the stems and branches and set aside to dry. Some varieties are scraped. While drying, the bark curls into quills. The colour varies from light reddish brown for the thin, scraped bark to grey for the thick, unscraped bark[ 418 ]. The unripe fruits are dried and sold as cassia buds, for use as food flavourings[ 301 ]. They have a cinnamon-like aroma and a warm, sweet, pungent taste akin to that of cassia bark[ 418 ].

Medicinal Uses

Aromatic Astringent Carminative Stimulant Stomachic The dried bark is aromatic, astringent, carminative, stimulant and stomachic. It is often used in association with other medicines. The bark contains around 2.5% essential oil, which is particularly rich in cinnamic acid. Saigon cinnamon has 1-5% essential oil in content and 25% cinnamaldehyde in essential oil, which is the highest of all the cinnamon species.

Known Hazards

None known