Most of the “cinnamon” sold in shops around the world is actually cassia, and a big share of it comes from Indonesia. Indonesian cassia is known in the trade as Korintje cinnamon. It has a warm, sweet taste that is a little milder than Vietnamese cassia, which makes it popular with bakeries, spice packers and food factories. If you are planning to buy it in bulk, this guide explains the main grades and what to check.
Cassia and True Cinnamon: What Is the Difference?
There are two main types. True cinnamon (Ceylon cinnamon) comes mostly from Sri Lanka. It has thin, soft, papery layers and a delicate taste. Cassia comes from related trees grown in Indonesia, Vietnam and China. Its bark is thicker and harder, and its flavour is stronger. Indonesian Korintje cassia is the most common type in bulk food trade because it is widely available and good value.
Where It Comes From
Korintje cassia grows mainly in the highlands of Sumatra. The bark is peeled from the trees, dried in the sun and then sorted by thickness, length and quality. Padang in West Sumatra is a well-known centre for collecting and processing it before export.
Understanding the Grades
Indonesian cassia is usually sold in grades named with letters. The exact rules can differ a little between exporters, so always confirm the specification in writing, but in general:
- KA (Korintje A): the top grade. Thicker, well-formed quills with higher oil content and stronger aroma. Often used for whole sticks in retail packs.
- KB (Korintje B): a middle grade, good for general use and grinding.
- KC (Korintje C): thinner bark with lower oil content. A volume grade, mainly used for grinding into powder for food service and manufacturing.
The oil content matters because it carries the aroma and flavour. Higher oil means a stronger product, and usually a higher price.
Forms You Can Buy
- Sticks (quills or “cigarette” cut): rolled bark cut to a fixed length, for example 8 cm or 10 cm. Best for retail and hotel use.
- Broken or split bark: pieces that are not rolled. Cheaper, and mostly used for grinding or extraction.
- Cut or chips: small pieces for tea blends and spice mixes.
- Powder: ground cassia, ready for bakeries and food factories. Check the mesh size you need.
Quality Points to Check
- Moisture: properly dried bark is usually kept at or below about 12 to 13.5 percent moisture. Wet bark can grow mould during the sea journey.
- Colour and aroma: a warm reddish-brown colour and a strong, sweet smell are good signs. A weak smell can mean old stock or low oil.
- Foreign matter: set limits for dust, wood and other material in the contract.
- Length and thickness: for sticks, agree the length and the allowed tolerance.
- Food safety: for some markets you may need a lab test for moisture, ash, microbiology or other limits. Ask early.
Packing and Shipping
Broken and split grades are often shipped in pressed bales or cartons of around 25 to 50 kg. Sticks are usually packed in cartons of 10 to 20 kg so they do not break. Powder is packed in lined bags. Like all spices, cassia is a plant product, so your destination country may ask for a phytosanitary certificate and, in some cases, fumigation. If you are importing into Pakistan, see our guide on how to import spices from Indonesia to Pakistan.
Tips Before You Order
- Decide the grade and form based on how you will use it: retail sticks, grinding or extraction.
- Ask for samples of the exact grade and compare aroma and colour side by side.
- Put moisture, foreign matter, packing and length in the contract.
- Agree the Incoterm and payment terms in writing. Our Incoterms guide explains FOB and CIF.
- Use the correct HS code for cinnamon (heading 0906). See What Is an HS Code?
Buying Indonesian Cassia with Rawaani Global
Through our group company in Jakarta, we work with Indonesian spice suppliers and can share options in sticks, broken bark and powder, with samples before you order. You may also like our guides on Indonesian cloves and nutmeg and mace. Request a quote with your grade, quantity and destination.
Source: grade and packing details summarised from Tradologie’s cassia trade guide.