Cinnamon / Karuvapattaa Spice Plant | Cinnamomum verum

Cinnamon 

Cinnamon also known as दालचीनी and Karuvapatta is a spice obtained from the inner bark of several tree species from the genus Cinnamomum. When the bark dries, it forms strips that curl into rolls, called cinnamon sticks. These sticks can be ground to form cinnamon powder. Cinnamon is used mainly as an aromatic condiment and flavouring agent in a wide variety of cuisines, sweet and savoury dishes, breakfast cereals, snack foods, bagels, teas, hot chocolate and traditional foods. Cinnamon also contains many health benefits when consumed in the right proportion.

BENIFITS OF CINNAMON

•  May have beneficial effects on neurodegenerative diseases
• Has Anti-Inflammatory properties.
• Antioxidants in cinnamon protect your body from oxidative damage caused by free radicals
• May Help with Digestive Problems, Including Ulcers and also aids weight loss.
• Improves sensitivity to insulin.
• May protect you from heart disease by controlling cholesterol, Blood pressure etc.
• Cinnamon has been widely studied for its potential use in cancer prevention and treatment.
• May prevent bacterial and fungal infections

PLANTING GUIDE.

The area for planting cinnamon should be cleared and 50 cm x 50 cm x 50 cm size pits are dug at a spacing of 3 m x 3 m. They are then filled with compost and top soil before planting. surround the plant with dirt. Mix compost or other organic matter into the soil when planting. Water immediately after planting, then regularly throughout the season.

HOW TO CARE CINNAMON PLANT

Cinnamon is a hardy plant which can survive almost all kinds of weather and soil texture once attained maturity.

Stake or cage cinnamon plant to avoid breakage of stem in wind or in any other circumstances. Water the plant well during the initial years as it is a rainfed plant.

Providing partial shade in the initial years is advantageous for healthy, rapid growth of plants

Proper fertilization must be provided.

Constant checking for pests and companion plants must be done, and proper action must be taken.

FERTILIZATION

• Organic manures like cowdung/compost (1kg/plant) with rock phosphate and muriate of potash should be applied twice a year.
• Application of neem cake, bone meal or vermicompost improves root proliferation and plant growth.
• Fertilizers should be spread across a 30 cm away from the plant root.
• Foliar spray of zinc (Zinc sulphate @ 250 g/100 litres of water) enhance growth, yield and quality of the produce. Zinc should be applied alone and not to be mixed with any insecticide/fungicide.
• Mulching with green leaves around the base of the plant during summer is preferred.
• Fertilizers like Potassium oxide, phosphorous can also be applied.

HARVESTING CINNAMON

Cinnamon plants are cut about 12 cm from ground each year till the plant reaches 5  years of age. this process of pruning helps in branch formation and eventually the plant seems like a bush. After 5 years, the branches are cut as soon as they reach a thickness of 1 to 2 cm and should have turned brown. the leaves are then removed and the outer layer of the stem is scrapped out using a knife, which later is washed and  sun then dried and is ready to use.