Expert: Chef Glen L. Davis II - 9/28/2008

Question
I am very interested in Cinnamon. I have an addiction to cigarette smoking and I would really want to replace it with cinnamon, as it is one of my favorite spices. Recently, I heard about cinnamon sticks and that it could be in my mouth instead of a cancer stick. As you seem to know a lot about spices, my question is:

Are there commercial/non-commercial sticks I can buy without the harmful effects of coumarin and such?


Answer
I have to admit this struck me as a rather unusual question!
I am not sure that you will like the cinnamon by itself, but I guess anything is better than tobacco use.

But I digress, in answer to your question, yes you can purchase whole cinnamon sticks. I usually buy them from B.J.'s or Sam's (you can probably find them at any bulk store). The reason I buy them at these stores is because it usually costs about 20-25% less than you would pay in an average grocery store. As far as the chemicals I have never heard of any problems involving them in cinnamon. If you have a concern with it i would find a brand such as McCormick and email them asking if their product contains it and what affects it might have on your health.

I hope this has helped you, please let me know if I can help with anything else. Good luck with quitting smoking its a long hard road but you can do it!