There’s something comforting and indulgent about adding a touch of cinnamon to your morning cup of coffee. Cinnamon brings a warm, spicy sweetness to coffee that enhances its natural bitterness. Cinnamon coffee is more than just a tasty treat-it’s a healthful, aromatic addition to your routine.
How Much Cinnamon Should You Put in Coffee?
One common question remains: How much cinnamon should you put in coffee? When it comes to how much cinnamon you should put in coffee, the answer depends on personal preference, your brewing method, and the intensity of flavor you’re aiming for. A good starting point is 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon per cup of coffee. The trick is not to use too much. Overdoing it can make the coffee bitter or chalky.
If you're using pre-ground cinnamon, be aware that it’s very fine and can clump or float on top of liquids. To avoid this, mix it thoroughly into your ground coffee before brewing or whisk it with a small amount of milk or creamer before adding it to your cup.
The Flavorful Upgrade: Cinnamon and Coffee Pairings
Cinnamon pairs beautifully with coffee because its earthy, slightly sweet notes highlight different aspects of various roasts. In a light roast, cinnamon brings out citrus and floral elements while adding depth. In medium roasts, it blends smoothly with nutty, caramel flavors. If you love flavored coffees like hazelnut or vanilla, adding a pinch of cinnamon can deepen the taste and create a more layered, cozy profile.
Health Benefits of Cinnamon in Coffee
Adding cinnamon to your coffee isn’t just a flavorful upgrade-it’s a healthy one. Cinnamon in coffee isn’t just delicious, it’s also loaded with many health benefits. Both cinnamon and coffee are packed with antioxidants, vitamins and nutrients. According to Jamie Degagne, a registered dietitian nutritionist for the Sharp Rees-Stealy Center for Health Management, adding just one teaspoon of cinnamon a day to your morning java can do more than improve its taste. You also receive a good dose of your daily vitamins and supplements in just one drink.
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Benefits of Cinnamon
Cinnamon is a spice that’s been used for thousands of years, both for its wonderful taste and its medicinal benefits.
- Anti-inflammatory Properties: Cinnamon possesses anti-inflammatory properties to help your body respond to infections and repair tissue damage.
- High in Antioxidants: It also contains high antioxidant components to protect your body from oxidative damage caused by free radicals, the small compounds that have been linked to numerous health problems such as heart diseases, arthritis and cancer. Cinnamon is high in cinnamaldehyde, a naturally occurring compound that gives it its flavor and odor - also found in blueberries and cranberries - and contributes to most of its health benefits.
- Heart Health: Cinnamon is also good for your heart. Studies show daily consumption of cinnamon can lead to a decrease in total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides - a type of fat found in blood. It also showed increased levels of HDL cholesterol, often known as the “good” cholesterol.
- Blood Sugar Management: In addition, cinnamon may help manage blood sugar by increasing insulin sensitivity. This controls blood glucose and decreases blood sugar levels after eating. Cinnamon can support weight loss by stabilizing blood sugar and boosting metabolism.
Benefits of Coffee
Coffee has numerous health benefits, including a protective effect on liver function, reduced cardiovascular disease, decreased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes and a protective effect against certain cancers.
“Both cinnamon and coffee alone could be classified as a super food for the health benefits they each provide,” says Degagne. “And when combined, you also receive a synergistic effect of antioxidants, which help the body scavenge free radicals and keep your cells healthy.”
Moderation is Key
Like all spices, cinnamon should be used in moderation. While it's generally safe for daily use in small amounts, excessive intake-especially of cassia cinnamon-can lead to an overconsumption of coumarin, a compound that can affect liver health in large doses. While there are health benefits to adding cinnamon to your coffee, there is a toxic level of a compound in cinnamon called coumarin. Coumarin may cause liver damage in large amounts. While this is unlikely to happen through the consumption of small amounts of cinnamon in coffee and food, choosing Ceylon cinnamon, which has low levels of coumarin, rather than cassia cinnamon, is the safest option.
In fact, one of the most practical reasons to add cinnamon is that it naturally sweetens your coffee without the need for sugar or artificial sweeteners. Our analysis shows cinnamon offers antioxidant potential and can support perceived sweetness (useful when cutting added sugar).
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Brewing Methods: How to Incorporate Cinnamon into Your Coffee
One challenge people face is that cinnamon doesn’t dissolve well in liquid. If you’ve ever added it to your coffee after brewing and ended up with floating bits or a clumpy texture, you’re not alone. Ground cinnamon doesn’t dissolve in liquids, often floating on top or forming clumps. The solution? No. Cinnamon is ground bark and does not dissolve; it will float and eventually settle.
Here are several methods to try:
- Brew with it: Add 1-2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon directly to your coffee grounds before brewing. This works well with drip coffee makers, French presses, and pour-over methods. Mix cinnamon with your ground coffee before brewing in a drip machine, French press, or pour-over.
- Infuse with a stick: Stir your coffee with a cinnamon stick or steep one in your pot while brewing. Drop a cinnamon stick into your mug or travel tumbler.
- Cinnamon Syrup: Strain and store in a sealed container to do cinnamon syrup.
- Blend it: If you use a blender for bulletproof or protein coffee, add the cinnamon before blending.
- Cinnamon Paste: Mix ground cinnamon with a small amount of warm water or milk to create a paste.
- Blend it: Blend cinnamon with warm milk or cream before adding it to your coffee.
Choosing Your Cinnamon: Ceylon vs. Cassia
Not all cinnamon is created equal. Ceylon vs. For daily use, opt for Ceylon cinnamon for its health benefits and delicate flavor.
A Moment of Savoring
Using cinnamon in your coffee is also a way to slow down and savor. Whether it’s the scent wafting from your mug or the subtle heat that lingers on your tongue, this simple spice can transform a quick caffeine fix into a comforting daily ritual.
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