Best Cinnamon

Last Updated: Apr 10, 2023 @ 10:55 am.

Best Cinnamon For Baking: 365 Everyday Value Ground Cinnamon

Let’s talk cinnamon!

Tracing its roots back before written records, cinnamon once was so rare, its use was limited as a gift for royalty.

Today, most cinnamon comes from two varieties: Vietnamese/Chinese (Cinnamomum cassia)  or Ceylon (Cinnamomum verum). Both types derived from related plants, but each variety has a somewhat different taste profile.

Indonesia is the world’s largest producer of Vietnamese/Chinese spices, with China close behind. About 8% of the world’s cinnamon is imported from Ceylon.

After trying out both varieties from nine different brands, we think 365 Everyday Value’s Ground Cinnamon is the best for baking. Here’s why:

What We Liked

• Wonderful aroma.

• Mellow, sweet taste.

• Imported from Indonesia.

• GMO-free.

• Kosher. 

• Affordable.

What Needs Work

• Sprinkle top could have larger holes. It takes a bit of work to get the spice out . . which is more of an issue for sprinkling cinnamon on coffee or cocoa. For baking, this is less of an issue of course!

Best Organic Cinnamon: McCormick Organic Ground Saigon Cinnamon

In our blind taste tests, McCormick’s Organic Ground Saigon Cinnamon came out consistently on top. And that didn’t surprise us, as we’ve done several articles on spices where the tried and true brand McCormick scores high. 

What We Liked

• Bright, fresh flavor.

• USDA organic.

• Spicier than Ceylon versions, said some of our taste testers.

• Dual lid: shaker and spoon openings.

• No GMO’s.

What Needs Work

• A bit pricey. If the budget is tight, we’d suggest this next recommendation.

Best Budget-Friendly Cinnamon: Amazon Brand – Happy Belly Cinnamon

We know, cinnamon can get rather pricey. If the budget is tight, we recommend Happy Belly Cinnamon—much the same great flavor and taste, but at a price that is much easier on the wallet.

What We Liked

• Sweet, not too strong flavor.

• Kosher.

• Vietnamese origin.

What Needs Work

• Not as spicy as some would like. That’s not necessarily a negative when it comes to baking, however. If you prefer your cinnamon more on the sweeter side, you may want to experiment with cinnamon from Ceylon. Check out the next recommendation.

Best Ceylon Cinnamon: FGO Organic Ceylon Cinnamon Powder

At the top of this article, we mentioned that cinnamon sold today is one of two varieties: Vietnamese/Chinese (also called Saigon) and Ceylon.

The latter is not as common, but some folks prefer it because has a somewhat sweeter profile than the Vietnamese variety. After trying out several brands, we’d recommend FGO’s Organic Ceylon if you want to give it a try!

What We Liked

• Milder, sweeter flavor = great for beverages.

• USDA Organic.

• No GMO’s.

• Also great in baked good.

• Resealable package.

What Needs Work

• Not as spicy = less aroma. 

Why Trust Us

We’ve been rating and reviewing products for the home and families since 1994. We do hands-on testing—we buy the products with our own money and evaluate with an eye toward quality, ease of use and affordability.

Here’s another key point: we don’t take money from the brands we review. No free samples, no sponsors, no “partnerships.” Our work is 100% reader-supported!