Cinnamon varieties

Indian Institute of Spices Research (ICAR-IISR), Kozhikode, Kerala · ICAR-IISR · 1996

High bark oil (2.7%) with 73% cinnamaldehyde; excellent bark recovery (40.6%); 25+ shoots per plant for multiple harvests. Adopted across all cinnamon-growing zones of India.

Indian Institute of Spices Research (ICAR-IISR), Kozhikode, Kerala · ICAR-IISR · 1996

High-eugenol leaf oil specialist (78% leaf eugenol vs 62% in Navashree); 3% leaf oil content; bark cinnamaldehyde 58%. Valuable for dual quill and leaf oil markets.

Horticultural Research Station, Yercaud, TNAU, Tamil Nadu · Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) · 1995

Exceptional bark recovery (35.3%); 'sweet and light pungent' quill profile; dual-use for bark and leaf harvest (19.2 regenerable shoots per harvest). Economically viable for 20 years.

Horticultural Research Station, Pechiparai, TNAU, Tamil Nadu · TNAU

Extreme longevity (trees retained to 50 years); drought and pest-resistant; excellent for repeated coppicing (18-24 month cycles). Herbaceous regrowth favours leaf oil extraction.

Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli, Maharashtra · Konkan Agricultural University

Superior oil profile: 3.2% total oil content, 70.23% cinnamaldehyde, 6.93% eugenol. Developed for essential oil and fragrance industry. Higher yielder than traditional Konkan plantings.

Aromatic and Medicinal Plants Research Station, Odakkali, Kerala Agricultural University, Kerala · Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) · 2000

Leaf-oil specialist: 94-96% eugenol content in leaf oil; 18 kg leaf yield per tree annually; 295-300 ml oil per tree per year. Targeted for essential oil, flavouring, and fragrance industries.

Native to Sri Lanka; cultivated in Kerala Western Ghats (Kannur, Kottayam, Idukki, Kozhikode) and Tamil Nadu (Nilgiris) · Indigenous landraces; historical cultivation since East India Company plantings (~1767 Anjarakandy estate onwards)

Low coumarin (0.02% vs. 0.5-1.0% in cassia); fine quill quality (thin, pencil-like); delicate, warm flavour; cinnamaldehyde-rich oils. Preferred globally for health-conscious markets; commanding premium prices (Alba grade 3-5x cost of H1).

Southern China (Guangxi, Guangdong, Yunnan); widely cultivated South and Southeast Asia; trial-grown in Indian plains (Himachal Pradesh, Assam) via ICAR-IISR partnerships · Traditional cultivation; ICAR trial programmes for Indian adaptation

Peppery, warm, spicy flavour; higher coumarin (0.5-1.0%), requiring careful dosing for long-term health use. Thicker bark, lower oil content, commercial resilience. Wider elevation and climate tolerance than true cinnamon. Lower global market price (~25% of true cinnamon).

Sumatra, Java, Borneo, Indonesia; minor cultivation in Myanmar, Bangladesh; potential for trial in Indian agroforestry · Indigenous to Southeast Asia; grown commercially in Indonesia since colonial era

Intermediate coumarin (0.5-0.8%); moderate oil content (1.5-2.5%, lowest of cassia types); warm, balanced flavour. Represents ~80% of cinnamon consumed in USA/Europe. Growing commercial interest in South Indian processors.

Central and northern Vietnam; minor cultivation in Laos, Cambodia; potential research crop in India's higher-rainfall zones · Native to Vietnam; grown commercially for ~200 years

Highest oil content among cassia types (3.5-5.0%), highest cinnamaldehyde (50-90% in oil); premium cassia grade. Peppery, rich flavour. High coumarin (0.7-1.0%), so health-restricted in some markets. Commands 2-3x price of Indonesian cassia.