International Grades
Ceylon cinnamon is graded according to the diameter of the quills and to the level of foxing (discoloring) of the outer layer. The grades are not a distinction of taste.
Alba – Maximum Diameter – 6mm : The finest grade is Alba which is extremely thin and has no broken pieces or fillings inside. Also there is no foxing at all. It is prized as the most expensive product.
C5 Special – Maximum Diameter – 6mm : This grade of Ceylon cinnamon is also popular after Alba for its character and quality with a slight difference in thickness.
C5 – Maximum Diameter – 10mm : This grade of Ceylon cinnamon is another popular and sought after cinnamon, lower in thickness compared to Mexican grades.
C4 – Maximum Diameter – 16mm : This grade of Ceylon cinnamon also comes under the category of fine cinnamon.
Mexican Grade
M5 – Maximum Diameter – 18mm : This grade of Ceylon cinnamon has a darker brown shade and a rougher surface compared to the continental grades mentioned previously. This grade contains 60% of superficial foxing.
M4 – Maximum Diameter – 19mm : This grade of Ceylon cinnamon comes under the category of fine cinnamon with similar properties to that of M5. This grade also contains 60% of superficial foxing.
Hamburg Grade
H1 – Maximum Diameter – 23mm : This grade of cinnamon is the result of over matured bark reaped later in the plantations. It is made of the components of heavy cinnamon bark with heavy foxing of 25%.
H2 – Maximum Diameter – 25mm – This grade of cinnamon comprises of the tougher bark of the cinnamon plant. This contains 40% of heaving foxing.
Quilling No 1 – Broken pieces of varying sizes of all grades of cinnamon quills.
Quilling No 2 – Broken pieces of varying sizes of all grades of cinnamon quills and chips.
Cinnamon Chips – Finely ground Ceylon cinnamon powder is 300 mesh.
