February 17, 2021
There are dozens of different spices used within Asian cuisine and they often play an important role in the overall flavour profile of a dish. Indian chefs in particular will select certain ingredients for their ability to influence the final result with splendour. Cassia Bark is a spice native to Sri Lanka and is actually quite closely related to cinnamon. Read on as we go over everything there is to know about it…
Botanically, cassia is known as Cinnamomum Aromaticum and is harvested in a very similar way to cinnamon – a spice that we all know and love. To obtain cinnamon, the bark of a tree is harvested, dried and fermented before the outer layer is removed – and despite an almost identical process being carried out, cassia tends to have a much stronger flavour.
Due to this distinct flavour, cassia is typically utilised in savoury dishes as opposed to sweet dishes because it gives an earthy aroma that works much more harmoniously. Typically referred to as cinnamon’s ‘cousin’, many shoppers will be surprised to know that commercial ground cinnamon is actually a combination of both cinnamon and cassia bark, particularly in the US. This means that it is important to try and source true cassia because the two are not necessarily interchangeable.
When it comes to Indian cuisine, cassia bark can be added to meat based curries such as lamb, mutton or goat because its earthy flavour profile adds a unique touch and provides a warmth that alternative spices like cinnamon just cannot compete with. With this said, it can also be implemented into the recipes of hot chocolate and tea for an Indian twist on Western favourites.
Here at Royal Nawaab, we place a lot of emphasis on the authenticity of our dishes as we believe that the real flavour of India and Pakistan is what makes us the family restaurant our diners keep coming back for. From turmeric to garam masala, there are dozens of different spices to choose from within Indian cuisine, and that’s what makes our food so delicious! To find out more information, get in contact with a member of the team today.
