Any idea what this spice is?

ScaryGreen

Hi all,
I'm hoping all you knowledgeable types will be able to help me identify a pack of spice I have had in my cupboard for ages because I don’t know what it is. It came in a nice little presentation box with some cloves and a couple of whole nutmeg.
Well it looks like some tree bark to me. I haven’t opened it yet so don’t know what it smells like.

Also once it's been identified what can i use it for?

There's a photo of it here -http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2259/1922191429_165ea22995_o.jpg

Thanks in advance for your help

ivoryfrog

broken bits of cinnamon sticks maybe?

anniebooklover

Hi,

Looks like broken cinnamon sticks to me so I suspect you have been given a "mulled wine" pack as all three ingredients are normally used for mulled wine.

Try the recipe search on the index for other uses or maybe the BBC food site.

HTH

daveyjp

Yes it's cinnamon. If it is old throw it away, most spices lose their flavour after 6 months or so.

kate83

Think it's cinnamon bark

ScaryGreen

Thanks all

I've opened up the packet and it does smells like cinnamon, but as daveyjp suggested it doesnt smell very strong, but think i'll use it in mulled wine bags i'm gonna make up for christmas pressies.

odds-n-sods

probably best not to bother, if it doesn't smell very strong, it won't have much flavour left!

thriftlady_2

Cassia bark looks very similar to cinnamon

Raspberry_Swirl

i have a bag of that from the chinese supermarket and it was labled as cinnamon bark.

cheaper form of cinnamon sticks but still the same when used in recipes.

nick_b

thriftlady wrote: »

Cassia bark looks very similar to cinnamon

Yup, I'd go for cassia bark as well. If you dry fry it the flavours should intensify somewhat. Give it a try, anyway.

LandyAndy

nick_b wrote: »

Yup, I'd go for cassia bark as well. If you dry fry it the flavours should intensify somewhat. Give it a try, anyway.

Yes, definitely Cassia.