The genus Cinnamomum

6 Chinese Cassia
Nguyen Kim Dao
Introduction
Cinnamon and Cassia* are among the oldest spices reaching ancient Egypt, reportedly
by the seventeenth century B.C. But it seems that the bark that was entering the
cinnamon trade in ancient times was of different botanical origin. Probably the Greek
and Romans had used both cinnamon and cassia, but the Arab traders who dominated
and controlled the spices trade shrouded the sources in mystery. Cinnamon and cassia
were among the spices sought after by most fifteenth- and sixteenth-century European
explorers (Dao et al., 1999).
In Vietnam, about 2000 years ago, Giao Chi Ngoc Que paid valuables in tribute to
the Chinese Emperor, and among these was cassia bark. Cassia is found both wild and
cultivated in South-East Asia, south China (Kwangxi and Kwangtong provinces), Burma
(Myanmar), Laos and Vietnam. It was introduced into Indonesia, Sri Lanka, South America
and Hawaii. In Vietnam, it is found in many provinces from the North to the South, but
is concentrated in the provinces of Quangninh, Yenbai, Nghialo, Tuyenquang, Ninhbinh,
Thanhhoa, Nghean Hue, Quangnam and Quangngai and in Taynguyen plateau.
Taxonomy
Chinese cassia/Vietnam cassia (Cinnamomum cassia)
Berch. & Presl, 1825, Prir. Rostlin 2: 36, 44–45, t.6. Synonyms: Laurus cassia L. (1753);
Cinnamomum aromaticum C. Nees (1831) (for nomenclature citations see Chapter 2).
Vernacular name: Chinense cassia, Chinense cinnamon, Cassia lignea (En); Cannellier
de chine; Canellier casse (Fr); Kayu manis cina (Indonesian); S’a: chwang (Laos); Kaeng
(Thailand); Qu[ees] thanh, Qu[ees] don, qu[ees] qu[ar]ng (Vietnam).
An evergreen, medium sized tree, 18–20 m high and 40–60 cm in diameter, with
a straight and cylindrical trunk and grey brown bark that is 13–15 mm thick when
mature. Branchlets of the previous year are dark brown, longitudinally striated,
slightly pubescent, and those of the current year are more or less tetragonal, yellowbrown,
longitudinally striated, densely tomentose, with grey-yellow hairs. Terminal
buds are small, about 3 mm long, with broadly oval scales. The terminal buds are
acuminate and are densely tomentose with grey hairs. Leaves are simple, alternate
* The name cassia is used to denote cassia cinnamon and should not be confused with the genus Cassia belonging to
the family Cesalpiniaceae.
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