Does Cinnamon Go Bad? Dos And Donts When Storing This Spice

Cinnamon is one of the most widespread spices in this world. Its delicate and rich aroma is a perfect choice for desserts, hot drinks, and even meat dishes! 

The very good thing about this seasoning is that it is extremely long-lasting and can stay fresh for years. The only issue that can make you sad is that it tends to lose its flavor slightly with time.

Does cinnamon go bad at all? Well, let’s figure this out!

How To Store Cinnamon. Tips And Useful Hints to Remember

Cinnamon is sold in powder and sticks. Most of us prefer groud (or powdered) spice since it is easier to make use of. No need to crush it, just sprinkle a pinch or two over the food or drink, and that’s all.

Naturally, those who use this seasoning often enough sometimes wonder whether the way of storage for these two types of the same seasoning can be different by any chance.

Well, in fact, both ground cinnamon and the one that is sold in sticks require the same storage conditions.

Since it is a spice, follow the basic requirements common for all sorts of seasonings:

  1. Make sure your cinnamon is kept in a dry and cool enough space
  2. Keep it away from any sources of heat, as well as from the direct light
  3. Double-check that the level of moisture is not too high in the place where the spice is kept since the excess moisture may cause clumps to appear
  4. Always ensure that the packet is tightly closed each time after the spice is used to prevent the moisture from getting in!

According to everything said above, it will be natural to assume that the pantry is the optimal choice for storing cinnamon packet. However, note that this fits the unopened packet only!

Once the spice was unsealed, we would advise to remove it somewhere where you could see it and check its condition now and then. Let’s say, a kitchen cabinet or a cupboard would be just fine.

One more handy tip to note: if cinnamon was purchased in a soft packet, you’d better remove it to the bottle of a jar with a tight lid. Such a tank will let you store the spice for many many days!

How Long Does Cinnamon Last?

A good thing about spices, and cinnamon, in particular, is that they have a pretty long lifespan. 

Ground cinnamon seasoning can easily stay fresh for months if we keep it correctly. Of course, each packet has its best-by date which indicates until when the product will be at its best quality. Usually, using it after this term has passed is not recommended since the spice loses pretty much of its taste and aroma. It means that we will have to make use of much more old cinnamon when cooking compared to the fresh spice.

How To Store Cinnamon
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Some people ask: is consuming old cinnamon safe?

Well, yes, this seasoning can be safely added to our food even if its expiry date expired long ago! Some people keep on using the old spice after the years of storage, you know.

What about the cinnamon sticks? Do they lose their qualities the same fast as a ground product? No, in fact, sticks are somewhat more durable! Be sure that they will be the same aromatic as when you just bought them even after two or even three years of storage!

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And remember that, if the spice is stored correctly, it is possible to extend its lifespan for many years!

How Long Does Cinnamon Last
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How To Tell If Cinnamon Is Bad

Cinnamon is a sort of spice and, like many other spices, it doesn’t tend to go bad unless water (in some form of it) gets into the tank where the seasoning is kept.

Basically, if we store the product according to the major rules, it won’t get worse. However, if any of those requirements are broken, be ready that cinnamon can turn bad!

How To Tell If Cinnamon Is Bad
Photo by Luísa Schetinger on Unsplash

What are the basic symptoms of spoilage for this spice?

  1. mold in any type or amount
  2. any sort of organic growth
  3. wet spots
  4. large clumps
  5. bad odor

If even one of them is noticed, discard the spice without hesitation!

Fresh cinnamon has a delicate, slightly spicy flavor, and rich, sweet aroma. If you sense something else and worse, it means that the product is off.

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As you can see, cinnamon is pretty easy to store and this spice is truly universal since it can be used for making hot drinks, savory meat dishes, desserts, and sauces. Besides, making cinnamon water will allow you to enrich your body with vitamins and useful elements this spice has to boost your immune system and improve the state of health.

Use it reasonably and carefully, and enjoy this awesome product of nature!

38 thoughts on “Does Cinnamon Go Bad? Dos And Donts When Storing This Spice”

  1. Hello! Can someone give me a hand please? Can old cinnamon make you sick? I have some but it looks pretty aged…Don’t know what to do with it. Shall I throw it?

    • Hey! I’d smell it and took a closer look. If the odor is fine and it has no mold, clumps, or something organic growing – use it safely. Spices never spoil! Unless we screw them up!

  2. What is the shelf life of cinnamon powder? Is it different from the cinnamon in sticks? Thank you.

    • Ground cinnamon lasts for one year past the expiry date. Afterward, it starts losing its quality slowly. Cinnamon sticks are more durable, they can remain fresh for 3-4 years.

  3. I heard that cinnamon can cause cancer. But I love it so much! Can’t decide what to do!! Can cinnamon kill you? Does anyone know?! Thanks.

    • Hello there! Don’t stress so much! Maybe, cinnamon can kill people if they eat it every day five times a day devouring a whole packet at a time! But if you just use a pinch or two now and then as all normal people do, it won’t harm you, believe me!

  4. How long is cinnamon good after the expiration date? Shall it be discarded or it’s ok to use? Thanks a lot!

    • If the spice is stored correctly, it will last from one to four years past its expiry date. The ground product lasts less than the one in sticks.

  5. Is it safe to eat out of date cinnamon? I have some left and it’s already more than a year old.

    • It is safe, but remember that it won’t be the same aromatic as the fresh spice, so you’ll have to use more of it.

  6. When should you throw away spices? I always keep them until I use them out. Maybe, it’s a wrong scheme?

    • I discard mine the second they lose their flavor, but it works only for grounded ones. Whole spices last for several years easily, but I always use them before they expire. 

  7. Is there anyone here who is knowledgeable about cinnamon? How do you keep cinnamon fresh? Is there any method? Thanks!

    • Both dry and grounded spice must be kept in a glass tank tightly closed, in a dry, cool, and shady place.

  8. Does cinnamon lower blood sugar? Can it be used instead of medical means for bringing it down?

    • This spice does decrease the blood sugar level. If you eat from 1 to 6 grams of cinnamon daily, it will lower the blood sugar by 24 percent, and cut cholesterol, too.

  9. Is that true that cinnamon can be used for a weight loss diet? Does cinnamon burn fat?

    • It does! This spice helps us to lose visceral fat and contributes to general weight loss. I drink it mixed with honey and water.

    • It does have side effects but it can’t cause diarrhea. Cinnamon can become harmful only if we consume it too much which is more than one teaspoonful of the spice per day for an adult.

  10. Hey everyone! Is there anyone here who is a pro in spices? I need advice. You see, I’ve recently cleaned my kitchen cabinet and I found LOTS of old spices. Like a real pile! And some of them are pretty old. So the question is: should I throw out expired spices? Thanks for any help!

    • Hi! I would advise you to sniff them all! Really, no kidding! Those with the bad smell are most likely off. Also, if you find any mold or something organic inside the packets, discard those, too.

    • Expired cinnamon, if it’s still fine, can be used for cooking purposes. Feel free to add it to your tea or coffee, to cocoa, cakes, and other desserts. Only note that you’ll probably have to use more of it than usual since old spice loses its potency.

  11. I have just found out that I have way too much cinnamon! One pack is full and not opened yet, and two more that are already unsealed, one is half-full and the second one is almost empty. And those that are opened have already passed their expiry dates. So now I don’t know whether I shall throw all that out. Does cinnamon go bad after expiry date?

    • No, it doesn’t go bad that soon! If you mean ground cinnamon, it will last for months or even years past that date! Actually, cinnamon sticks have approximately the same term of storage.

  12. How fast does cinnamon go bad if I transfer it to another container? I don’t like storing spices in their original packets, so I always transfer them into either glass or tin cans. Can it influence their durability?

    • I don’t think it can matter much as long as you store it according to the storage rules. So if your cinnamon is kept away from light and moisture, and it’s not affected by heat, and if you keep it tightly sealed all the time, it will easily remain consumable for months or even longer.

  13. How long can you use cinnamon after the expiration date? Is it ok to add it to baked goodies if the spice is a few months old?

    • It’s absolutely fine! I use cinnamon even if I bought it like half a year ago! Of course, you need to keep it right to be able to make use of it.

  14. Hi! I need your advice! I have a packet of cinnamon that has not been opened yet, but I have been storing it for quite a while already. Does cinnamon go bad if unopened? Did any of you have such an issue?

    • Well, I once discarded a packet of cinnamon after a year of storage or so, but I was keeping it open (like wide open!), so naturally the spice spoiled. If you are smarter than me and you store it sealed somewhere in a kitchen cabinet, I’m sure it will last long enough. But of course, even unopened spice will decay sooner or later.

  15. Does cinnamon go bad in the refrigerator? Someone told me it can be kept like this, but I’m not sure since the level of moisture is pretty high in the fridge, right? Could you please help me to solve this puzzle?

    • I know for sure that ground cinnamon must not be placed in the fridge (or into the freezer). If you have cinnamon sticks, they can be refrigerated or even better frozen since it’s dryer in there.

  16. Is it ok to use expired ground cinnamon? Mine expired a few months ago but its smell and color are fine.

    • If it looks and smells ok, and if it tastes ok, then use it of course! Cinnamon is a very durable spice so it can be stored for months past the expiry date.

  17. Can expired cinnamon make you sick? I baked cinnamon buns yesterday and I used the spice that’s two months past the expiration date. And today I don’t feel quite well. Not sure whether the reason is the buns but who knows?

    • No, expired cinnamon can’t make you sick! Perhaps, you ate something else that made your stomach feel bad.

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