Alba Ceylon Cinnamon Quills — 50g Square Tin

ALBA is a grade defined by SLS 81:2021, the Sri Lanka Standard for Ceylon cinnamon. It sets a maximum quill diameter of 6 mm, a minimum of 45 whole quills per kilogram, and a maximum of 10% foxing. Alba is the finest grade in the standard: no other grade permits a smaller maximum quill diameter.

Not in the sense buyers usually mean. Every grade in the standard is the same species, Cinnamomum verum, from the same bark, and all of it is sold as cinnamon sticks. Grade describes the physical dimensions of the quill and its surface appearance - not purity, potency or origin. A narrower grade costs more because more peeling and rolling work goes into each kilogram, not because the cinnamon itself is different.

Usually not. Most supermarket cinnamon is cassia (Cinnamomum cassia or related species), a different plant with a single thick, hard layer of bark. Ceylon cinnamon is Cinnamomum verum, and its quills are formed from many thin layers of inner bark rolled together - which is why they are brittle and can be crushed by hand.

Keep the quills whole, in an airtight container, away from light, heat and moisture. Whole quills hold their aromatic oils far longer than ground cinnamon, so grinding only what is needed preserves aroma. Do not refrigerate - condensation is the main risk to dried bark.