Cinnamon Facts for Kids

What am I?

​I'm one of the world's favorite spices. I'm in some of the most popular desserts. I bet you didn't know that I am the bark of a tree. 

In ancient history, I was an expensive gift given to important rulers, like kings, queens, and pharaohs. 

​Can you guess what I am?

Where I grow

I grow on a tree. I am native to Sri Lanka, a small country next  to India. My tree grows berries, which you can also eat. To make the spice, only the bark and leaves are used. Farmers plant and grow the tree for two years, then cut the stems at the ground. The next year, many new shoots (like branches) grow. ​

After I'm picked

​After I'm cut down, farmers have to work quickly while the wood is fresh. The outer bark is scraped off then the trees are hit to loosen the inner bark. The bark is then cut and dried where it curls into rolls. 

After its dry, it's cut into smaller sections or ground into powder.

Did you guess... Cinnamon

Español: canela
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​Isn't that amazing that cinnamon is bark from a tree? 

Watch the video to see how cinnamon is grown and harvested!

​​Feed your food curiosity! Snackster Sam provides fun and educational content about food that grows. Join the adventure. Download the Snackster Sam app from Google Play or the App Store!