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Spices Procurement Guide

How to Source Ceylon Cinnamon from Sri Lanka

Direct Procurement Summary

Sourcing authentic Ceylon cinnamon involves identifying the Cinnamomum Zeylanicum species and grading quills based on diameter and density.

Learn the differences between True Cinnamon and Cassia, and how to grade Alba, C5, and M grades.

Guide Scope & Key Topics

  1. 01. Cinnamomum Zeylanicum vs Cassia
  2. 02. Understanding Quill Grades (Alba to H2)
  3. 03. Traditional Peeling Techniques
  4. 04. Coumarin Content Analysis
  5. 05. Export Documentation for Spices

True Ceylon Cinnamon is unique to Sri Lanka, prized for its low coumarin content and subtle sweetness. Unlike Cassia, which is hard and contains high levels of coumarin, Ceylon cinnamon is made of soft, thin layers...

Imperial Enterprises' Colombo trade desk manages end-to-end quality grading, laboratory analysis (ISO 17025 / SGS / Eurofins), phytosanitary clearance, and FCL/LCL ocean freight consolidation so international buyers receive consistent, border-compliant Sri Lankan origin shipments.

Buyer Verification Checklist

  • Specify grade requirement (Alba for premium, C5 for standard)
  • Request moisture content certificate (Max 14%)
  • Verify hand-peeling origin
  • Confirm steam sterilization requirements
  • Arrange Phytosanitary certification

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Ceylon Cinnamon more expensive than Cassia?

It is labor-intensive to produce and historically has higher medicinal and culinary value due to its low coumarin content.

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