Canela

This true cinnamon (our “cinnamon” is really powdered cassia bark, a cinnamon relative with a very punchy flavor) is usually sold only in stick form. The sticks are made up of many thin layers of cinnamon bark that are soft enough to crumble into a spice grinder or into a mortar to grind. Mexican cinnamon has a more delicate, wonderfully flowery aroma.

FINDING In most Mexican groceries or via the internet at either MexGrocer.com or The Spice House.com.

STORING Room temperature, in a tightly closed container for up to a year.