Trader Joe's Cinnamon Sticks: Uses, Storage & Brand Comparison

Trader Joe's Cinnamon Sticks: Uses, Storage & Brand Comparison

Trader Joe's cinnamon sticks are a popular choice for home cooks seeking affordable, high-quality spice for everyday use and special recipes. These sticks, made from cassia cinnamon, offer a bold flavor perfect for beverages, baking, and savory dishes. Here's everything you need to know about their unique qualities, uses, storage, and how they compare to other brands.

Table of Contents

What Are Cinnamon Sticks?

Cinnamon sticks are dried inner bark from the Cinnamomum tree genus. When harvested, the bark is rolled into quills and dried into the familiar curled form. They're prized for their sweet-spicy aroma and versatility in culinary and medicinal applications.

Cinnamon tree bark being harvested

The Two Main Types of Cinnamon

  • Ceylon Cinnamon ("true cinnamon") – From Sri Lanka, delicate citrusy flavor with low coumarin levels (a compound that can be harmful in large doses).
  • Cassia Cinnamon – More common, stronger and spicier flavor with higher coumarin content. Found in most grocery stores including Trader Joe's.
Comparison of Ceylon and Cassia cinnamon sticks

Why Trader Joe's Cinnamon Sticks Stand Out

Trader Joe's cinnamon sticks are favored for:

  1. Value for Money – Priced at $2.99 for a 2.5-ounce pack ($0.75 per ounce), significantly cheaper than premium brands.
  2. Consistent Quality – Thick, deep reddish-brown sticks with strong aroma due to rigorous quality control.
  3. Sealed Packaging – Preserves freshness longer than loose or bulk-bin options.
  4. Bold Flavor Profile – Cassia cinnamon provides intense spice ideal for everyday cooking and beverages.
Trader Joe's Cinnamon Sticks package

Cassia vs. Ceylon: Why Trader Joe's Uses Cassia

Trader Joe's uses cassia cinnamon because it delivers stronger flavor for most culinary applications. According to the FDA, cassia contains higher coumarin levels than Ceylon, but this is generally safe for typical use. Professional chefs often prefer cassia for its robustness in dishes like mulled wine, stews, and baked goods where Ceylon's subtlety would be lost.

5 Creative Ways to Use Trader Joe's Cinnamon Sticks

Use Case Description Best For
Hot Beverages Infuse coffee, tea, or hot chocolate for subtle warmth Morning rituals, winter evenings
Spice Blends Grind into homemade pumpkin pie spice or chai blends Baking, DIY gifts
Savory Dishes Simmer in stews, braised meats, or Moroccan tagines Exotic cuisines, hearty meals
Infused Syrups Create cinnamon-infused simple syrup for cocktails or desserts Cocktail hour, dessert lovers
Fruit Simmer Pots Boil with apples, oranges, and cloves for festive home fragrance Holiday decor, aromatherapy
Spice simmer pot with cinnamon sticks and citrus

Pro Tip: Reuse Your Sticks

After using a cinnamon stick in tea or stew, dry it thoroughly and reuse 2-3 times. For bold applications like simmer pots, the first use is strongest, while subsequent uses work well for milder infusions like simple syrups.

Cinnamon sticks placed inside a drawer for fragrance

How to Choose the Best Cinnamon Sticks

Key Features to Look For

  • Thickness – Thicker sticks indicate better freshness and flavor
  • Color – Deep reddish-brown hue shows quality
  • Smell – Should be sweet and spicy (avoid musty or dull scents)
  • Origin – Cassia for bold flavors, Ceylon for delicate dishes
User Type Best Stick Type Recommended Use
Home Cooks Cassia (like Trader Joe's) Daily cooking, baking, and drinks
Foodie Enthusiasts Ceylon Fine baking, gourmet dishes
DIYers Any Homemade candles, incense, décor

Trader Joe's vs. Other Brands: Price, Flavor & Quality

Feature Trader Joe's Simply Organic Now Foods
Type Cassia Ceylon Cassia
Price (per oz) $0.75 $1.80 $0.90
Flavor Intensity Strong, bold Subtle, complex Moderate
Ideal For Daily use, drinks, hearty meals Fine baking, desserts Cooking and moderate use
Organic? No Yes Yes

Verdict: Which One Should You Buy?

For most home cooks, Trader Joe's cassia cinnamon sticks offer the best balance of bold flavor and affordability. If you need organic or delicate flavor for gourmet dishes, choose Ceylon options like Simply Organic.

Proper Storage for Maximum Flavor

  • Keep Dry – Store in airtight container away from moisture
  • Cool & Dark – Pantry or spice cabinet (not near stove/oven)
  • Avoid Refrigeration – Temperature changes cause condensation and mold
  • Long-Term Storage – For over 1 year, freeze in airtight container with silica gel packet
Cinnamon sticks stored in a glass jar

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Trader Joe's cinnamon sticks different from other brands?

Trader Joe's selects thicker, reddish-brown sticks with consistent quality and sealed packaging to preserve freshness. At $0.75 per ounce, they offer superior value compared to premium brands like Simply Organic ($1.80/oz) while delivering bold flavor for everyday use.

Are Trader Joe's cinnamon sticks cassia or Ceylon?

Trader Joe's uses cassia cinnamon, which has stronger flavor and higher coumarin levels than Ceylon. This makes it ideal for bold recipes where delicate flavors would be overwhelmed. According to FDA guidelines, coumarin is safe in typical culinary amounts.

How long do Trader Joe's cinnamon sticks stay fresh?

Properly stored in airtight containers away from heat and moisture, Trader Joe's cinnamon sticks maintain 90% of their flavor for 2-3 years – longer than most supermarket brands due to their thicker, oil-rich sticks.

Can I reuse Trader Joe's cinnamon sticks?

Yes! After using in tea or stew, dry thoroughly and reuse 2-3 times. First use is strongest for bold applications like simmer pots; subsequent uses work well for milder infusions like simple syrups.

Are Trader Joe's cinnamon sticks organic?

No, they're not certified organic. However, since you only infuse flavor (don't consume the whole stick), pesticide concerns are minimal. For organic needs, consider Simply Organic's Ceylon cinnamon.

Can dogs have Trader Joe's cinnamon sticks?

Avoid giving cinnamon sticks to dogs. The sticks pose choking hazards, and cassia's higher coumarin content can be toxic in large doses. Use cinnamon powder sparingly in pet treats instead.

Trader Joe's cinnamon sticks deliver exceptional value with bold flavor and consistent quality. Whether you're making mulled wine, spiced chai, or savory tagines, these sticks are a kitchen essential that outperforms pricier alternatives. Store them properly to enjoy their potent flavor for years!

Kitchen spice rack featuring cinnamon sticks
Sophie Dubois

Sophie Dubois

A French-trained chef who specializes in the art of spice blending for European cuisines. Sophie challenges the misconception that European cooking lacks spice complexity through her exploration of historical spice traditions from medieval to modern times. Her research into ancient European herbals and cookbooks has uncovered forgotten spice combinations that she's reintroduced to contemporary cooking. Sophie excels at teaching the technical aspects of spice extraction - how to properly infuse oils, create aromatic stocks, and build layered flavor profiles. Her background in perfumery gives her a unique perspective on creating balanced spice blends that appeal to all senses. Sophie regularly leads sensory training workshops helping people develop their palate for distinguishing subtle spice notes and understanding how different preparation methods affect flavor development.