Asher's Nuts uses Ceylon cinnamon, not the more common cassia. Ceylon is softer and more floral, so it adds warmth under the dark chocolate without taking over. It also contains much less coumarin. Germany's Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) says cassia averages about 3,000 mg of coumarin per kg, while Ceylon contains only low levels.
What's the difference between Ceylon and cassia cinnamon?
They come from different trees, and they taste different. Ceylon cinnamon, often called "true" cinnamon, grows mainly in Sri Lanka. According to the NIH's National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, cassia is the type most commonly sold in North America. If your spice jar just says "cinnamon," it's probably cassia. Cassia is bold, hot and a little sharp, the flavor of a cinnamon roll or red-hot candy. Ceylon is lighter and more aromatic, with floral, almost citrusy notes and a gentle finish.
What is coumarin, and why does it matter?
Coumarin is a natural compound found in cinnamon, and cassia has a lot more of it. Health agencies track it because large amounts over long periods have been linked to liver effects in sensitive people. Germany's Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) sets a tolerable daily intake of 0.1 mg of coumarin per kg of body weight. For a 60 kg adult, that's 6 mg a day. Cassia averages about 3,000 mg of coumarin per kg, so a 60 kg adult reaches that limit with about 2 g of cassia a day. The BfR says Ceylon cinnamon contains only low levels of coumarin, which it considers safe. It also advises people who eat a lot of cinnamon to choose Ceylon. NCCIH likewise notes that Ceylon has less coumarin than cassia.
To be clear, there's only a pinch of cinnamon in each jar of Asher's Nuts. Even so, a spread people eat every day should use the low-coumarin kind, so we picked it.
Why put cinnamon in a chocolate spread at all?
Because cinnamon and chocolate are old teammates. Think Mexican hot chocolate. A little warm spice makes cocoa taste rounder and deeper without tasting "spiced." In Dark Cocoa + Sea Salt, Ceylon cinnamon sits underneath the 70% dark chocolate and links it to the toasty walnuts. Most people can't name it on the first bite. They just notice the spread tastes warmer than plain chocolate.
What position does cinnamon play on the team?
Utility player. It isn't the star, and it doesn't need to be. It's the seventh ingredient by weight, so there isn't much of it, but it touches everything. It adds warmth to the cocoa, depth to the walnuts and an aroma that reads as sweet. That last part matters. Because cinnamon and vanilla smell sweet, the spread tastes sweeter than its roughly 3 g of sugar per serving would suggest. That's how we keep the raw honey to a minimum. Read more about the sugar math in low-sugar chocolate spread.
Does Ceylon cinnamon have health benefits?
You'll see big claims online, but we won't make them. Researchers have studied cinnamon supplements, and NCCIH says it's unclear whether they help with things like blood sugar or weight loss, and that better research is needed. There's far too little cinnamon in a spoonful of nut butter to count as a supplement anyway. We use Ceylon for its flavor and its low coumarin, and that's the whole story. For a sensible look at nut butter overall, read is nut butter good for you?
How can you tell Ceylon from cassia at home?
Look at the sticks. Ceylon sticks are made of many thin, papery layers rolled together like a cigar, and they crumble easily. Cassia sticks are one thick, hard layer of bark curled inward. Ground cinnamon is harder to tell apart, so check the label. If it doesn't say Ceylon, it's usually cassia.
Quick facts
- Position: seventh ingredient by weight
- Type: Ceylon ("true") cinnamon, not cassia
- BfR tolerable daily intake for coumarin: 0.1 mg per kg of body weight
- Cassia averages about 3,000 mg coumarin per kg, while Ceylon contains only low levels (BfR)
- Job on the team: warmth under the cocoa and a sweet aroma without extra sugar
FAQ
Does Asher's Nuts taste like cinnamon?
Barely. It tastes like dark chocolate and nuts, with a warm note underneath. The cinnamon supports the other ingredients rather than leading.
Is Ceylon cinnamon more expensive than cassia?
Generally, yes. Because there's only a little in each jar, it's worth it for the flavor and the lower coumarin.
Is there much coumarin in a serving?
No. There's only a small amount of cinnamon in the recipe, and it's Ceylon, which the BfR describes as low in coumarin.
What else is in the jar?
Eight ingredients in total. See what makes Asher's Nuts different.
Try the warm finish for yourself: order Dark Cocoa + Sea Salt.