Am I being extremely anal??? (Be careful how you answer that!) Stupid question number (let's see, forum's been up about 3 months, ....) 279 - - Cinamon sticks in the craft shop vs cinamon sticks in the Spice Corner of the grocery store - - - Is there any material difference?? Can I use the "craft" sticks for my coffee, teas, and simmering potpouri's??

Chuck who seems to get cluelesser and cluelesser as the time wears on (Stress?? Pre-op, pre-mission jitters??)

-- Chuck, a night driver (rienzoo@en.com), October 10, 1999

Answers

CHUCK,

Pull off the road NOW! You definitely need some shuteye. Two new words I learned on this forum: curiouser and cluelesser. WOW. I can't wait to hit the 'hood with this new one!! Don't have a damn idea about your question, however, I just wanted to talk you thru this thing so you don't get hurt. OK, now turn the radio up, louder, open the thermos and get some coffee, say what, you can't find the thermos?? Where's your new nite vision stuff you just got??? So many new toys, so little time.

-- Bruce Springstine (no not him) (dancin' in the dark@wow.com), October 11, 1999.

Chuck,

Just in case your serious,I think they are the same thing.The best place that I've found to buy spices,potpourri,fragrance oils and herbs is: San Francisco Herb Co.,250 14th Street,San Francisco,California---Phone #1-800-227-4530 or www.sfherb.com

They sell cinnamon sticks 6inch or 10 inch for $3.50 per pound and 18 inch sticks for $4.10 per pound.The more you buy the less it is.And no I am not affiliated with them.I have purchased their products and pleased with the quality.Great place to buy catnip.

-- Maggie (aaa@aaa.com), October 11, 1999.

From: Y2K, ` la Carte by Dancr (pic), near Monterey, California

Spices are cheaper in the hispanic section of the grocery store, and at Smart & Final.

-- Dancr (addy.available@my.webpage), October 11, 1999.

Cinnamon sticks are the same - the place of purchase and the intended use may differ. The craft sticks are not as aromatic as the cinnamon that is bound for the food markets.

But you can use them interchangeably. If the craft cinnamon seems to be a little thicker and less aromatic, don't worry. It's just not a primo piece of cinnamon. Take a knife, scraper, or shredder and rub it on the piece of cinnamon. This will remove the outer layer that has lost its oils and dried out. Just a bit of the outer layer removed is all you need.

I've taken old cinnamon sticks, wrapped them in a paper sack and pounded them with a hammer. The resulting pieces I put in a piece of folded cheesecloth and then added it to my beverage.

Been watching your posts - you've given good advice and seem to be up-to-speed on your preps. No one can know everything - that's why we like this forum - someone will know or will know where to send us for the info needed. Besides, some of the esoteric questions get me to thinking "out of the box". For this I'm grateful.

Hot Buttered Rum - Spiced Apple Cider - good winter comfort drinks.

mom@mom.com

-- mom (mom@mom.com), October 11, 1999.

Indian food store, Chuck! Used quite a bit in Indian cooking--and isn't cinnamon from India? Sri Lanka maybe? Somewhere over there anyway.

Okay, so I went nosing around--for all you ever wanted to know about cinnamon:

http://www.nonvirtual.com/orient/refcas.htm

-- Old Git (anon@spamproblems.com), October 11, 1999.