Hot Apple-Cinnamon Cider

 RSS    

Environmental Nutrition

Cinnamon is one of the signature spices of winter, warming the senses and marking the season's festivities with its familiar aroma. One of the oldest spices known to us, cinnamon has been coveted as a medicine, flavoring, embalming agent and preservative. So common to households today, it was once quite rare, much sought after, and almost worth its weight in gold.

Cinnamon comes from the brown inner bark of several trees from the genus Cinnamomum in the laurel family. Several species are sold as cinnamon, but Ceylon, or "true cinnamon," and Cassia (also called Chinese and Saigon cinnamon) are the most common. They are available as dried tubular sticks (quills) or ground powder. The oils in the bark contain cinnamaldehyde, among other substances that give cinnamon its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Just two teaspoons of cinnamon provide 44 percent Daily Value (based on 2,000 calorie diet) for manganese, which helps the body maintain normal blood sugar levels and strong bones, and almost 10 percent DV of dietary fiber.

Seasoning high-carbohydrate foods with cinnamon significantly reduces the rise in blood sugar levels by slowing the rate at which the stomach empties after meals, according to a study in the June 2007 American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. It may also help normalize blood sugar levels of people with type 2 diabetes by improving their ability to respond to insulin. Further results of studies on cinnamon's benefits for those with type 2 diabetes are varied. One well known 2003 Diabetes Care study found that just one gram of cinnamon daily not only reduced blood sugar levels, but also triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, and total cholesterol, while another study published in 2006 in European Journal of Clinical Investigation required three grams for similar benefits; however, a 2006 Journal of Nutrition study showed no benefit at all. Though it may be premature to deem cinnamon a treatment for type 2 diabetes, it does show promise.

Ceylon and Chinese cinnamon are very similar, but the harder-to-find Ceylon is a bit sweeter and more refined. Look for Ceylon in spice stores, ethnic markets and online. Cinnamon's pungent, sweet scent is the best freshness indicator, so when possible, smell it before buying. Cinnamon sticks store up to a year in a tightly sealed glass container in a cool, dark place, twice as long as the stronger-flavored ground cinnamon. A lovely enhancement to both sweet and savory foods and beverages, cinnamon is easily simmered in tea, cider and milk, sprinkled into dough and batter for breads and baked goods, and mixed into beans and curries for a unique ethnic twist.

Hot Apple-Cinnamon Cider

Makes 8 servings.

8 cups apple juice or cider

4 cinnamon sticks (or 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon)

1 tablespoon whole cloves (or 1 teaspoon ground cloves)

1 teaspoon allspice

1 teaspoon nutmeg

1 tablespoon lemon zest

Heat apple juice or cider in a large saucepan and bring to a simmer. Add cinnamon, cloves, allspice, nutmeg and zest; simmer for 30 minutes.

Strain and serve hot; garnish with cinnamon sticks and a dash of nutmeg if desired.

Nutritional Information per Serving: 124 calories; 0 grams (g) protein, 0 g fat, 2 g fiber, 30 g carbohydrate; 11 milligrams sodium

Environmental Nutrition is the award-winning independent newsletter written by nutrition experts dedicated to providing readers up-to-date, accurate information about health and nutrition in clear, concise English.

 

 RSS    

MORE RECIPES:   DESSERT | PASTA | SEAFOOD | WOLFGANG PUCK

Recipes

Available at Amazon.com:

Barefoot Contessa How Easy Is That?: Fabulous Recipes & Easy Tips

Anna Getty's Easy Green Organic

Cuisinart ICE-30BC Pure Indulgence 2-Quart Automatic Frozen Yogurt, Sorbet, and Ice Cream Maker

The Lee Bros. Simple Fresh Southern: Knockout Dishes with Down-Home Flavor

Stonewall Kitchen: Grilling: Fired-Up Recipes for Cooking Outdoors All Year Long

Luscious Coconut Desserts

Tapas: Sensational Small Plates From Spain

Simply Organic: A Cookbook for Sustainable, Seasonal, and Local Ingredients

The Lee Bros. Simple Fresh Southern

Around My French Table: More Than 300 Recipes from My Home to Yours

Heart of the Artichoke and Other Kitchen Journeys

Teen Cuisine

Simple Comforts: 50 Heartwarming Recipes

 

More Recipes

Celebrate the Season with Cinnamon for Healths - Recipe

(c) 2011, Belvoir Media Group, LLC. DISTRIBUTED BY Tribune Media Services