Question 1

True or false: Cinnamon is actually a root spice, harvested from underground tubers.

Accepted Answer

False. False. Cinnamon is harvested from the inner bark of the tree's shoots, not from roots or tubers.

Question 2

True or false: True cinnamon and cassia come from the exact same tree species.

Accepted Answer

False. False. True cinnamon is from Cinnamomum verum, while cassia comes from related species like Cinnamomum cassia.

Question 3

True or false: The strongest cinnamon flavor comes from trees grown in Sri Lanka.

Accepted Answer

False. False. Cassia cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia) has a much stronger, spicier flavor. True cinnamon from Sri Lanka (Cinnamomum verum) is prized for its delicate, sweet taste.

Question 4

True or false: Cinnamon trees only grow in tropical rainforests with high humidity.

Accepted Answer

False. False. While preferring tropical climates, they can also grow in subtropical areas and are cultivated in many regions.

Question 5

True or false: Cinnamon comes from the bark of a tree in the laurel family.

Accepted Answer

True. True. The cinnamon tree is a member of the Lauraceae (laurel) family, which also includes avocado and bay laurel.

Question 6

True or false: Cinnamon bark contains a natural blood-thinning compound called coumarin.

Accepted Answer

True. True. Cassia cinnamon has high coumarin levels, which can be toxic in large doses, but true cinnamon has much less.

Question 7

True or false: Cinnamon trees are often coppiced to encourage new shoots for bark harvesting.

Accepted Answer

True. Coppicing, cutting the tree to ground level, stimulates regrowth of multiple stems, which are harvested for their inner bark, the source of cinnamon.

Question 8

True or false: Cinnamon trees produce fruit that tastes exactly like the spice.

Accepted Answer

False. False. The tree produces small berries that are used in some cuisines but taste different—more like a peppery, bitter fruit.

Cinnamon tree Trivia Questions