How To Grate Cinnamon Sticks

How to grate cinnamon sticks

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Cinnamon is a spice that has been used for centuries in both sweet and savory dishes. It is made from the bark of a type of evergreen tree, and it has a warm, earthy flavor. Cinnamon sticks are the whole form of the spice, and they can be found in most supermarkets. Grating cinnamon sticks is easy to do and only takes a few seconds.

If you have whole cinnamon sticks and need ground cinnamon, there are several ways to achieve this. The easiest way is to use a coffee grinder or spice grinder, and simply grind the sticks until you have a fine powder. If you don’t have either of those appliances, you can also use a mortar and pestle; however, this will take a bit more elbow grease. Finally, if you don’t have either of those implements, you can simply grate the cinnamon sticks using a microplane or box grater. Whichever method you choose, with just a little effort you’ll be able to attain ground cinnamon from whole cinnamon sticks.

Manual ways of grating cinnamon sticks

There are a few different ways that you can grind cinnamon at home, depending on what tools you have available. One option is to use a microplane zester. This will give you very fine cinnamon powder. If you don’t have a microplane zester, you can also put the cinnamon sticks into a ziploc bag and use a meat tenderizer to pound them into powder. Another option is to use a mortar and pestle. This will take a bit more effort, but it will also give you a finer powder than the ziploc bag method. Whichever method you choose, be sure to grind the cinnamon until it is a very fine powder.

Microplane Zester

Grating cinnamon sticks with a microplane zester is probably the easiest way to get ground cinnamon. The microplane will produce very fine powder, and it is quick and easy to use.

1. Start by breaking the cinnamon sticks into pieces that will fit comfortably into the microplane. You don’t need to worry about making them all the same size, just make sure they will fit in the grater without being too snug.

2. Place the cinnamon pieces into the microplane and hold it over a bowl or plate.

3. Use a back and forth motion to grate the cinnamon sticks into powder.

4. Once all of the pieces have been grated, tap the microplane over the bowl or plate to remove any cinnamon clinging to the sides.

5. Store the ground cinnamon in an airtight container and use as needed.

Ziploc Bag Method

If you don’t have a microplane zester, you can still easily grind cinnamon sticks into powder using a ziploc bag and a meat tenderizer or other blunt object. This method won’t produce as fine of a powder as the microplane, but it will still be usable for most purposes.

1. Start by breaking the cinnamon sticks into pieces that will fit comfortably into the ziploc bag. You don’t need to worry about making them all the same size, just make sure they will fit in the bag without being too snug.

2. Place the cinnamon pieces into the ziploc bag and seal it closed.

3. Use a meat tenderizer or other blunt object to pound the cinnamon sticks into powder. You can also roll a rolling pin over the bag to achieve the same effect.

4. Once the cinnamon has been ground into powder, open the bag and tap it over a bowl or plate to remove any pieces that are still whole.

5. Store the ground cinnamon in an airtight container and use as needed.

Mortar and Pestle Method

If you have a mortar and pestle, this is probably the best way to grind cinnamon sticks into powder. It will take a bit more effort than the other methods, but you will end up with a finer powder.

1. Start by breaking the cinnamon sticks into pieces that will fit comfortably into the mortar.

2. Place the cinnamon pieces into the mortar and grind them with the pestle until they are a fine powder. This is a lengthy process, so be patient and keep working until all of the pieces have been deconstructed.

3. Once the cinnamon has been ground into powder, tap the mortar over a bowl or plate to remove any pieces that are still whole.

4. Keep cinnamon in an airtight container for future use.

Mechanical/electrical methods of grinding cinnamon sticks

 There are a few different ways that you can grind cinnamon sticks, depending on the type of equipment that you have available. A high-speed blender or spice grinder is ideal for this task, as the blades will quickly chop up the cinnamon into a fine powder. If you don’t have either of these options, you can also use a coffee grinder or food processor. Just pulse the cinnamon sticks in short bursts until they’re finely ground. Whichever method you use, make sure to stop and scrape down the sides of the machine occasionally so that everything gets evenly ground. Once your cinnamon is ground, it’s ready to be used in any recipe that calls for it!

High-Speed Blender

1. Break the cinnamon sticks into pieces that will fit comfortably into the blender. You don’t need to worry about making them all the same size, as long as they will fit in your blender without being too tight.

2. Place the cinnamon pieces into the blender and blend on high speed until they are a fine powder. This is a quick process, so you can blend for a few seconds until everything is ground up.

3. Stop and scrape down the sides of the blender occasionally so that everything gets evenly ground. Once your cinnamon is ground, it’s ready to be used in any recipe that calls for it!

Spice Grinder/Coffee Grinder

1. Start by breaking the cinnamon sticks into pieces that will fit comfortably into the spice grinder.

2. Place the cinnamon pieces into the grinder and pulse until they are a fine powder. This is a quick process, so you may need to stop and scrape down the sides of the grinder occasionally to make sure everything gets evenly ground.

3. Once your cinnamon is ground, it’s ready to be used in any recipe.

Food Processor

1. Start by breaking the cinnamon sticks into pieces that will fit comfortably into the food processor.

2. Place the cinnamon pieces into the processor and pulse until they are a fine powder. This is a quick process, so you may need to stop and scrape down the sides of the processor occasionally to make sure everything gets evenly ground.

Tips and tricks

If you’re having trouble getting your cinnamon to grind into a fine powder, try placing it in the freezer for about an hour before you start grinding. This will make the cinnamon easier to grind and will help prevent it from clumping together.

If you don’t have any cinnamon sticks on hand, you can also use ground cinnamon. Just use 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon for every 3-4 inches of Cinnamon stick called for in a recipe.

When storing cinnamon powder, be sure to keep it in an airtight container. This will help to keep the flavor fresh and prevent it from clumping together.

FAQs

How long does ground cinnamon last?

When stored in an airtight container, ground cinnamon will last for about 6 months. After that, the flavor will start to fade and it won’t be as potent.

What can I do with ground cinnamon?

Ground cinnamon can be used in a variety of recipes, both sweet and savory. It’s a great way to add flavor and depth to dishes like roasted vegetables, curries, and even fruit pies. You can also use it to make homemade spice blends, like pumpkin pie spice or chai spice. If you’re feeling creative, you can even use ground cinnamon to make a natural food dye!

How do I measure ground cinnamon?

When measuring ground cinnamon, it’s best to use a food scale. This will ensure that you get an accurate measurement. 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon weighs about 2 grams.

Conclusion

By following the steps above, you should have no trouble grating cinnamon sticks at home. The most important thing is to use a sharp grater and to be careful not to cut yourself. Once you’ve grated the cinnamon sticks, you can use them in any recipe that calls for ground cinnamon. You can also sprinkle them over oatmeal or yogurt, or add them to a cup of hot tea. Whatever you do with your freshly grated cinnamon, enjoy it!

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