Coffee with cinnamon: useful properties, how to cook it and drink it correctly

There are hundreds of millions of coffee drinkers around the world. Many people can't imagine their mornings without a cup of the invigorating drink. But over time, coffee prepared according to the traditional recipe loses its former appeal. A small portion of cinnamon can not only transform the classic drink, such an addition will make its taste more vivid and rich.

In addition to improving gastronomic characteristics, cinnamon combined with coffee will improve your well-being and lift your mood. Even medics agree that this duo is useful for health, if a person has no contraindications. It is not by chance that adherents of a healthy lifestyle have long included coffee with cinnamon in their daily diet. Therefore, there is a reason to talk about the benefits of the drink with cinnamon and the peculiarities of its preparation. After all, today the main priority for most citizens is their own health.

Composition and calories

First we would like to say a few words about cinnamon. This is one of the most popular and safest spices grown in countries with tropical climates. Ancient technology is still used in the production of this spice, which results in a product with a valuable chemical composition. Various producers supply the world market today, but the Ceylon spice varieties are in great demand. Interestingly, the interaction of the coffee drink with the spice activates the substances that have a beneficial effect on the human body.

Coffee beans are considered a unique natural product, because they contain:

• In great quantities of amino acids, including essential ones;
• plant proteins;
• complex organic compounds;
• alkaloids;
• essential oils.

The most important active component of coffee beans is the substance trigonellin, which belongs to the group of alkaloids. During heat treatment, this element is converted into pyridine, which gives the drink a specific flavor. In addition, during the preparation of the drink trigonellin interacts with nicotinic acid, and this union ensures the presence of vitamin B3 in the finished drink.

The composition of cinnamon is more complex. The spice is 60% cinnamon aldehyde and 18% eugenol. Also present in the composition of the spice are:

1. Retinol (vitamin A).
2. Tocopherol, which provides synthesis of sex hormones and supports the immune system.
3. Vitamin B3, necessary for the normal condition of the nervous system.
4. Vitamin D, an essential building material for bone tissue.
5. The minerals magnesium and potassium, necessary for muscle tissues, blood vessels and heart.
6. Tannins, which are natural antiseptics.
7. Starchs, which have a positive effect on the intestines.
8. Essential oils that tone the body.

In addition to these components, cinnamon spice sticks contain mucilage and resins.

The rich composition of the two ingredients makes a coffee drink with the addition of cinnamon extremely useful, if it is consumed in moderation. Given the low caloric content of the product, and the energy capacity of a 100-gram serving is only 40 kcal, you can drink it without fear for people with weight problems.

How to choose the right cinnamon for your coffee

The principle of selecting cinnamon for the preparation of a fragrant drink does not differ from the similar procedure that housewives perform when choosing a spice for other culinary purposes. But we would like to immediately draw attention to the fact that on the shelves of our stores in bags labeled "Cinnamon" sold a substance, very remotely resembling the famous spice. So it is better to buy such a product on the market.

The highest quality, as was said before, is considered to be Ceylon cinnamon. However, sellers of spice products often try to sell cassia, which is produced from the bark of cinnamon tree species growing in Indonesia or China, under the guise of cassia. Although cassia is capable of replacing high-grade cinnamon, it contains 100 times more cumarin than the Ceylon product, which is dangerous to health. In some countries coumarin is used as a poisoning agent against rodents. This important point should always be considered when choosing, otherwise the coffee drink with a spice additive will turn into a life-threatening poison.

And now a few criteria that will help you choose a quality cinnamon:

1. The appearance of the product. It is best to buy the spice in the form of tubes, as in the ground state, most often sellers sell exactly low-quality cassia.
2. Manufacturer. It is worth asking about the place where the product was produced. Today you can find spices imported from Israel, the United States and even Germany. But there is no cinnamon tree growing in these countries, so there simply cannot be any production of the spice there.
3. Cost is the most important indicator. Ceylon cinnamon is not cheap, but cassia can be purchased at an affordable price.
4. The aroma of true cinnamon is soft and warm, with sweet notes. Cassia is very sweet, and its scent is not as pronounced as the original spice.
5. Color. High cinnamon sticks are characterized by a uniform light brown color. They are slightly twisted at the ends, so they resemble horns. Cassia is much coarser, and its coloring on the outside and inside is not the same. Ceylon cinnamon is as thin as a sheet of paper, which is not the case with cassia.

If you want to verify the quality of cinnamon, you must put a drop of iodine on a spice tube or a handful of cinnamon powder. The cassia will immediately turn dark blue, but the real cinnamon will turn only slightly blue.

The shelf life of cinnamon sticks is 1 year, while the ground spice retains its amazing aroma and useful qualities only for six months.

Useful properties of coffee with cinnamon

General Benefits

Supplemented with cinnamon, the coffee drink is characterized by a pleasant taste. Even a few sips help relieve fatigue and nervous tension. Due to the high content of mineral additives and important vitamins in the spicy component, such a cocktail has the following beneficial effects on the body

• activates brain activity;
• improves the function of the digestive system;
• normalizes the level of sugar and cholesterol in the blood;
• Has a positive effect on the pancreas;
• strengthens dental enamel, cartilage and bones;
• increases the strength of blood vessels;
• cleanses the body of toxic products;
• regulates the blood;
• stimulates metabolic processes;
• suppresses appetite;
• lowers blood pressure;
• relieves painful sensations;
• promotes immune strength.

In combination with cinnamon, coffee demonstrates diuretic properties, removing excess fluid from the body. Both components have antibacterial properties, so they are good for cleaning the mouth from pathogenic germs, eliminating unpleasant odors.

Recent studies have shown that coffee with cinnamon, when used systematically, blocks the accumulation of protein in the brain tissues, which provokes the development of degenerative changes. Therefore, this drink is useful for elderly people. But coffee with cinnamon is useful not only for the older generation. It should certainly be consumed by young people, regardless of their gender. Let's consider how the invigorating cocktail affects representatives of different sex and age.

For women

Women should definitely add a little cinnamon powder in the morning in a cup of fragrant coffee. After all, the fair sex is always looking for a way to stay young and attractive. To achieve this goal, it is difficult to find such an equal duo as coffee and cinnamon. The drink is useful for women because it dulls the feeling of hunger and actively burns fat, and this helps to maintain a slender figure. It should also be noted the following positive properties of coffee with cinnamon:

• Inhibits the aging process;
• Relieves headaches and menstrual pains;
• Lowers blood pressure, which is useful for hypertensive people;
• Increases sexual desire.

We also want to note that due to the presence of vitamin E in the cinnamon, the coffee drink with a spicy component will have a positive effect on female appearance and hormonal background.

For men

To maintain a good state of health, the representatives of the stronger sex also useful to drink coffee with cinnamon. This is the first time that you will be able to use it in a way that will help you to get the right balance in your life and to get the right balance in your life. It is no coincidence that in ancient times, newlyweds were specially given to drink the spicy drink, so that their relationship would be passionate.

In addition to the sexual side of life, coffee with the addition of spice is useful for men engaged in heavy physical labor, because it helps the rapid recovery of muscles after physical exertion. Even for the sake of maintaining a positive mood and vigor, you should drink a cup of tonic drink with cinnamon additive every morning.

When pregnant

Despite the great benefits of coffee with cinnamon, during pregnancy, it is better to refrain from drinking it for future mothers. Although the sweet spice is considered to be one of the safest spices, it increases the blood flow, and this can threaten the premature termination of pregnancy. Of course, as an exception, you can treat yourself to a cup of flavored drink once in a while. But to do such an indulgence is allowed only with the permission of a doctor. And in order to neutralize the effect of components that may harm the future child, in this case, be sure to add a little milk to the drink.

When breastfeeding

If you believe the scientific data, it takes at least 10 hours for the complete elimination of caffeine from the body. One cup of coffee drink contains about 100-150 mg of this component, so all this tonic potential already in an hour will be in the mother's milk, if a woman decides to cheer herself up with a cinnamon coffee drink between feedings. Therefore, it is easy to conclude that such products at this stage it is better not to use, otherwise the gastronomic weaknesses of the mother may have a negative impact on the baby. Passion for the spicy drink can cause the following side effects in the baby:

• Allergic manifestations of various nature;
• insomnia;
• intestinal colic;
• overstimulation;
• anemia;
• dehydration.

Caffeine tends to accumulate in tissues. So if a breastfeeding woman drinks several cups of coffee a day, the harmful product will accumulate in the immature baby's body, which will not be the best way to form the bone skeleton and other organs. Given all the above risks, it is better to postpone until better times the daily tradition of drinking coffee in the morning in general, and with the addition of cinnamon - in particular. Only in rare cases you can indulge yourself in a small portion of the invigorating elixir if you neutralize the effect of caffeine with milk.

For children

There is some debate about the legal age for drinking a coffee drink, but there is no consensus yet. Some experts say that before the age of 14 should not drink beverages with caffeine, others believe that a cup of coffee with milk will not harm a ten-year-old child.

There is no such controversy about cinnamon, because this spice is present in confectionery products, which are loved by kids. Although before the age of two, too, it is not worth introducing such an additive into the child's diet. The tandem of coffee with cinnamon will not harm teenagers who are engaged in sports. Especially useful is the spicy drink before exams, because it stimulates brain activity. But do not be too keen on it all the same, because it can negatively affect the heart and bone system of the teenager.

We should not forget that the abuse of coffee can lead to hormonal problems in adolescents and even cause abnormal physical development. At this age it is better to drink coffee from lightly roasted beans with the addition of milk.

When losing weight

Coffee drink with the addition of cinnamon is popular among nutritionists. It is scientifically proven that such a commonwealth is extremely positively reflected on the shape of the figure. The secret of such an effect lies in the composition of the two initial products. Entering into a close interaction during the preparation of the drink, activated components that specifically burn fat. Especially effective is the drink its effect in combination with sports activities. Also, we should not forget that a small cup of coffee with cinnamon dulls the feeling of hunger, but increases the metabolism.

Weight loss individuals can prepare the drink according to the classic scheme.

Take 1/2 tsp. of ground coffee for 3 tsp. cinnamon powder and 0.3 liters of purified water. It is better to brew the coffee drink in a turkey, because this method of preparation will help to extract more useful essential oils.

Cooking process:

1. Mix the two ingredients and lightly roast directly in the turbo.
2. When the bitter flavor of cinnamon becomes tangible, gradually add water, but the turkey should remain on the fire.
3. When the composition begins to boil, turn off the heat.
4. Let the ready drink to infuse for 10 minutes. Then you can drink an amazing aromatic coffee with cinnamon.

Useful to know: Coffee drink with spicy cinnamon is allowed to consume patients with type 2 diabetes. Such a cocktail clears the airways and relieves the condition at colds. Coffee combined with cinnamon suppresses the growth of yeast and other types of fungi.

Harms and contraindications

Both coffee and cinnamon are very beneficial products. Their combination will only double that benefit if you stick to the measure. For example, the daily dose of the sweet spice for an adult should not exceed 1 tsp. But, in addition to limitations in the amount of the product, there are absolute contraindications to the use of coffee drink with cinnamon. This list includes the following conditions:

• pregnancy;
• Breast-feeding period;
• gastritis with high acidity;
• Individual intolerance to one of the components;
• tendency to be allergic to spicy products;
• fever;
• children's age.

Abuse of the invigorating beverage may increase the formation of gas and stool disorder. Coffee with cinnamon in excess can provoke the appearance of liver and kidney problems, including the development of hepatitis.

How to make cinnamon coffee: recipes

There are a huge number of recipes for preparing a coffee drink with the addition of spicy cinnamon. Each option is worthy of attention, because it allows you to get different shades of flavor and aroma of the popular drink. Here are a few different versions that you can safely use in your home kitchen.

Cinnamon and ginger

This combination is especially useful if a cold suddenly strikes. The drink prepared according to this recipe will help to alleviate the symptoms and restore strength. To prepare a strengthening elixir will require:

• cinnamon - 1 stick;
• ginger - 2 thin circles;
• ground coffee (depending on the strength of the drink) - 1-2 tsp;
• water - 250 ml.

It is best to take Arabica coffee, as this species has a rich flavor, while Robusta is very bitter. Pour water over the ginger and put the mortar on low heat. When it starts to boil, take it off the stove. Pour the drink into a cup and add sugar and cinnamon to taste. For a more intense flavor, you can leave a tube of cinnamon in the cup.

Cinnamon and pepper

There is an opinion that pepper is not suitable for a coffee drink. But true gourmets claim that coffee with pepper and cinnamon create a perfect harmony of flavors and aromas. However, such a drink should be drunk only in the morning. It is prepared in the classic way from the following ingredients:

• ground coffee - 2-3 tsp;
• sugar (preferably cane) - 1 tsp;
• red pepper - on the tip of a knife;
• cinnamon - 1/4 tsp. powder.

Since the drink with pepper is prepared in small portions, it is enough to take 150 ml of water for this amount of ingredients.

Cooking process:

1. The turkey is preheated.
2. Pour the coffee, shaking the container slightly, once again warm the contents of the turkey on the fire.
3. Pour the mixture into the liquid base.
4. When a foam appears on the surface, remove the turkey from the fire.
5. In the finished drink add sugar.
6. Return the pot on fire.
7. Let the drink steep for 2-3 minutes, then add the pepper and cinnamon.

Cinnamon and milk

This version of the drink was invented by English ladies who considered black coffee too coarse. Cinnamon helped a lot to soften the "black" image. Cooking "brown milk" is simple and pleasant. To do this, you need:

1. Take 150 ml of milk, immediately add a powdered cinnamon stick.
2. Bring the composition over low heat to a boil and simmer for 5 minutes.
3. When the foam appears, remove the pot from the heat.
4. Separately brew 1 tsp of coffee in 100 ml of water.
5. When the coffee is ready, add the "brown milk" on top.

Citrus and Cinnamon

Although this recipe is not popular with our domestic coffee drinkers, it is worth taking. Cinnamon combined with citrus creates a unique flavor composition, which is dominated by sour-tart notes. Proceed as follows to make a nice coffee drink:

1. Grate the lemon or orange peel finely. Take just 1 tsp. of the aromatic mass for the drink.
2. In a coffee pot put a pinch of cinnamon, 2 tsp of coffee.
3. Pour a glass of water, put on low heat.
4. When the composition begins to boil, immediately remove the turkey from the fire.

Before drinking, you can add a little nutmeg to the resulting drink.

How to drink coffee with cinnamon

Coffee drink with the addition of the spice is best to drink a few minutes after its preparation. Just a few minutes of aging will help to fully reveal the aroma of the spice. It is best to drink such a cocktail in the morning on an empty stomach. This scheme is especially suitable for those who watch out for a figure. In order not to spoil the flavor bouquet, coffee with cinnamon should not be used together with confectionery products, desserts and pastries. The portion of the spice can be different, it all depends on individual preferences. But in any case, it is not recommended to exceed the daily norm - 1 tsp.

Is it worth adding cinnamon to instant coffee

You can prepare a spicy drink from any coffee product, including instant coffee. And at the output, if you follow the technique of preparation, you get a drink that is not inferior to the product brewed from coffee beans. The advantage of this option is that its preparation takes a minimum of time.

The recipe for practical use:

1. Mix instant coffee and cinnamon in equal quantities - 5 g.
2. Pour the mixture with boiling water (150 ml).

There is a more complicated version:

1. Pour the cinnamon (5 g) into a cup.
2. Put for 5-10 seconds in the microwave.
3. Pour the milk.
4. Bring the composition to a boil.

After three minutes of infusion cinnamon coffee is ready to drink.

There are other options for the quick preparation of a very fragrant and unusual delicious coffee drink with spicy cinnamon. Therefore, every coffee aficionado can find the perfect recipe for themselves.

Some useful tips

1. Before making the drink, it is best to grind the cinnamon stick. This makes the drink more intense.
2. Cinnamon combines well with other spices. So you can add cardamom, pepper and cloves to its company.
3. Wanting to please yourself with a fragrant drink, you should not exceed the dosage specified in the recipe.

In conclusion, it remains to add that the duo of coffee and cinnamon is a rare case, when in one cup it is possible to combine maximum health benefits and pleasure of an unusual taste. Properly prepared beverage will cheer you up, put you in a positive mood and give you confidence. Given that the preparation of tonic cocktail takes very little time in any variant, there is every reason to please yourself and your loved ones every morning with an invigorating drink with a spicy flavor.

Cinnamon Coffee Photo