Cinnamon Stick Tea for Your Sore Throat, Cough, and (Yes!) Brain Functions from @CleoCoyle

From Cleo Coyle: If you missed my ONE HOUR CHICKEN SOUP recipe post, then you missed my whining about catching the flu over the holidays ~ Ack! It was a nasty one that I ended up passing to my dear husband, and we suffered together through the end of December and into January. That's why I'm sharing this recipe with you today. 

This tea is a balm to us when we're feeling poorly, and we sincerely hope it will soothe you, too. The reasons why are ancient. Scroll down to find out what they are...

Boost Your Brain with

the Scent of Cinnamon

Find out why below...

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A RECIPE NOTE FROM CLEO

Yes, I know you can brew cinnamon tea from store-bought bags, but the flavor is not as powerfully good as fresh-brewed from sticks. And there is an added benefit to brewing from sticks...

Fresh brewing cinnamon tea from sticks fills the house with the fragrance of cinnamon, a scent you can't get from brewing quickly in bags. And the scent of cinnamon has been linked to improving cognitive brain functions (attention span, recognition memory, response speed, and working memory).

In fact, studies have shown cinnamon to have many health benefits (source Healthline), including antibacterial properties (great for that sore throat) as well as anti-inflammatory properties, partly thanks to cinnamaldehyde (a substance found in the spice). One study showed that cinnamon may reduce inflammation and muscle soreness.

So now you know why cinnamon has been used in traditional Eastern medicines as a treatment for various ailments, and I can testify that this cinnamon stick tea helps to alleviate my cold and flu symptoms, specifically my phlegmy cough. Brewing up fresh cinnamon stick tea always makes me happy, and its spicy-sweet flavor is delicious, too. 

CASSIA VS. CEYLON

The amount of cinnamon sticks you'll want to use for this recipe will vary, depending on the kind of cinnamon sticks you're using, as well as their freshness. Let's start with...

Cassia cinnamon sticks are the most common type found in grocery stores. These are hard sticks with a single layer of curl. Because of their hardness, I suggest using 3 Cassia cinnamon sticks to make this tea, rather than 2. Their time on store shelves also tends to make them less potent so that 3rd stick is usually needed to make a good cinnamon tea.

Ceylon cinnamon sticks are softer and also of higher quality and potency. You can recognize them by their many layers. Because they are primarily sold by spice merchants at a higher price point, they tend to be fresher and more powerful. AND they truly do have amazing flavor, well worth the price! I suggest using 2 Ceylon cinnamon sticks for this recipe.

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☕ Cleo's 

Cinnamon Stick Tea

As always, the quality of your results depends on the quality of your ingredients. Now I've made cinnamon tea from the less expensive Cassia cinnamon sticks (see them pictured above). You'll find these in your local grocery store. But if you want a better quality tea, try the better quality Ceylon cinnmaon sticks.

Where to buy them? FYI - I buy mine from Nuts.com, click here to see the product page. They have good, fresh Ceylon cinnamon sticks as well as many other tasty products. Wherever you get your cinnamon sticks, I sincerely hope you will drink this tea with joy! ~ Cleo 

Makes 2 six-ounce cups of tea 

Ingredients:

2-1/2 cups water
2 Ceylon cinnamon sticks or 3 Cassia cinnamon sticks*

1 teaspoon honey (optional ~ use a local honey, if possible!)
1 small orange (optional)

*See my notes above on the differences between these types of cinnamon sticks.

Directions: Place 2-1/2 cups of water into a saucepan with 2 Ceylon cinnamon sticks (or 3 Cassia cinnamon sticks). Bring water to a boil and turn heat down to a low boil and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes. Turn off the heat and allow the cinnamon sticks to continue steeping in the water for a final 10 minutes. Strain into a teacup and enjoy!

🍊 Cleo’s 

Cinnamon-Orange 

Tea with Honey

Follow the directions for cinnamon stick tea above. After straining the cinnamon stick tea into your teacup, stir in 1 teaspoon of honey until dissolved. (We love using raw, local honey.) Squeeze the juice of one orange wedge into the cup. Garnish by placing one cinnamon stick into the cup. If you like, slice a thin round of orange and slide it onto the tea cup's rim. Serve warm and drink with joy!

Happy New Year, Everyone!

~ Cleo Coyle

New York Times bestselling author

of The Coffeehouse Mysteries and

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Cleo (Alice) with her husband Marc

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