Ceylon Spice Garden
Premium Ceylon Cinnamon Alba Grade - Finest Sri Lankan True Cinnamon Quills
Premium Ceylon Cinnamon Alba Grade - Finest Sri Lankan True Cinnamon Quills
Couldn't load pickup availability
✓ Lab-tested, batch by batch — not just “premium”
Every batch is tested by Sri Lanka’s Industrial Technology Institute before it ships — species ID (true Cinnamomum verum), heavy metals, and coumarin. Our current quills batch measured 0.2 ppm lead — five times below the strictest US limit, with arsenic and mercury not detected. You’re not paying for a label; you’re paying for the report that proves what’s in the bag.
See this batch’s lead results → · Browse all certificates of analysis
Product Details & Specifications
- Net Weight: Available in 50g, 100g, 250g, 500g, and 1kg variants
- Botanical Name: Cinnamomum verum — true Ceylon cinnamon
- Grade: Premium Alba Grade whole cinnamon quills
- Form: Whole, hand-rolled cinnamon quills — not powder
- Origin: Sri Lanka
- Ingredients: 100% pure Ceylon cinnamon bark. No fillers, blends, colours, or flavouring added.
- Best For: Cinnamon tea, warm drinks, curries, rice dishes, desserts, mulled drinks, and freshly ground cinnamon powder
- Packaging: Sealed food-safe packaging designed to help protect aroma during shipping and storage
- Storage: Keep sealed in a cool, dry cupboard away from sunlight, heat, and moisture
What Makes Alba Grade Ceylon Cinnamon Special?
Alba Grade is a premium form of true Ceylon cinnamon, selected for its fine, carefully rolled quills and elegant pale golden-tan appearance. It is made from the inner bark of Cinnamomum verum, the cinnamon traditionally grown in Sri Lanka.
Unlike the hard, dark, single-layer bark often sold as regular “cinnamon,” Alba quills are thin, soft, and made from multiple delicate bark layers. Their aroma is warm and naturally sweet, while the flavour is gentler and more refined than cassia cinnamon.
| Feature | Alba Grade Ceylon Cinnamon | Standard Ceylon Cinnamon | Cassia Cinnamon |
|---|---|---|---|
| Botanical type | Cinnamomum verum | Cinnamomum verum | Usually cassia species |
| Quill style | Fine, tightly rolled, premium whole quills | Whole quills with more variation in thickness | Hard, thick bark curls |
| Colour | Pale golden-tan | Light to medium brown | Darker reddish-brown |
| Flavour | Delicate, sweet, warm, and aromatic | Sweet and warm with a fuller spice profile | Hotter, stronger, and more pungent |
| Best for | Premium tea, gifting, refined recipes, chefs, and fresh grinding | Everyday tea, cooking, baking, and recipes | Occasional strong-flavour cooking and baking |
| Coumarin profile | Naturally low — and here’s the honest reason why | Naturally low compared with cassia | Typically much higher than Ceylon cinnamon |
Read our Ceylon cinnamon vs cassia guide to learn how to identify the difference before you buy.
Why Choose Whole Alba Quills?
- Longer-lasting aroma: Whole cinnamon quills generally retain their fragrance longer than pre-ground powder.
- Fresh grinding: Grind small amounts when needed for a fresher aroma in baking, coffee, oatmeal, or spice blends.
- Beautiful for tea: Alba quills make a clean, elegant cinnamon infusion with a naturally sweet spice aroma.
- Premium presentation: Fine whole quills are ideal for gifts, chefs, restaurants, and anyone who values quality spices.
- Versatile kitchen use: Use in tea, rice, curries, poaching liquid, desserts, mulled drinks, and slow-simmered recipes.
How to Use Ceylon Cinnamon Alba Grade
1. Ceylon Cinnamon Tea
- Add 1 Alba quill to 250–300ml hot water.
- Cover and steep for 10–15 minutes, or gently simmer for 5–8 minutes for a fuller cup.
- Remove the quill before serving.
- Add honey, milk, ginger, lemon, or Sri Lankan palm jaggery if desired.
2. Cooking & Slow-Simmered Recipes
- Add ½–1 quill to curries, rice, stews, sauces, poaching liquid, or chai blends.
- Let it infuse while cooking, then remove before serving.
- Use less than cassia if you prefer a subtle cinnamon note; Alba is refined rather than aggressively spicy.
3. Freshly Ground Cinnamon
- Break quills into smaller pieces first.
- Use a clean spice grinder for the best result.
- Grind only what you plan to use soon for maximum aroma.
- Use freshly ground Ceylon cinnamon in oatmeal, coffee, smoothies, desserts, baking, and spice blends.
4. Morning Cinnamon Drink
For a simple warm drink, steep one quill in hot water or use freshly ground cinnamon in our Ceylon cinnamon and honey morning drink recipe.
Alba Grade vs Powder: Which Should You Choose?
| Choose This | Best For | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Whole Alba Grade Quills | Tea, premium cooking, chefs, gifting, and long-term storage | Beautiful whole quills with a refined flavour and naturally longer-lasting aroma |
| Ceylon Cinnamon Powder | Daily drinks, oatmeal, baking, smoothies, coffee, and accurate spoon measurements | Fast, convenient, and easy to mix into recipes |
| Standard Ceylon Cinnamon Sticks | Everyday tea and cooking | Great all-purpose whole cinnamon option at a more accessible price point |
Quality, Origin & Natural Variation
True Ceylon Cinnamon from Sri Lanka
Our Alba Grade cinnamon is sourced and packed in Sri Lanka, the historic home of true Ceylon cinnamon. We sell whole Cinnamomum verum quills so you can see the naturally layered bark rather than relying only on a label.
What to Expect from a Natural Spice
- Quill colour may vary slightly from pale tan to light golden brown.
- Quill length and diameter can vary naturally from batch to batch.
- Some small broken quill pieces can occur during international shipping because Alba is delicate by nature.
- The aroma should be warm, sweet, and delicate — not harsh or heavily peppery.
Packaging for Freshness
Whole cinnamon quills are packed in sealed food-safe packaging to help protect them from moisture and unnecessary air exposure while they travel from Sri Lanka. After opening, transfer unused quills to an airtight container for the best long-term aroma.
Storage & Freshness Tips
- Keep unopened quills sealed until needed.
- After opening, store in an airtight glass jar or well-sealed food-safe container.
- Keep in a cool, dry cupboard — away from the stove, sink, window, and direct sunlight.
- Do not use wet hands or a damp spoon when handling the product.
- For the best aroma, use within 2–3 years of opening. Whole quills usually stay aromatic longer than ground cinnamon when stored well.
Need more guidance? Read how to store Ceylon cinnamon for freshness.
Safety & Everyday Use
Ceylon cinnamon is a culinary spice. Many people choose it for regular recipes because it is naturally lower in coumarin than cassia cinnamon. Use it in normal food and beverage amounts as part of a balanced diet.
- For culinary use: Add to tea, cooking, baking, and everyday recipes as desired.
- For frequent use: Ceylon cinnamon is generally the preferred cinnamon type because of its naturally lower coumarin profile compared with cassia.
- Medication or health concerns: Speak with a healthcare professional before using cinnamon in supplement-style quantities, especially if you take medication for blood sugar or blood thinning, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a medical condition.
Food-use note: This product is sold as a culinary spice and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Curious how much is safe at your body weight? Try our Safe Cinnamon Calculator — it works out your coumarin limit and lead exposure from our actual lab-tested batch.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Alba Grade Ceylon cinnamon?
Alba Grade is a premium grade of whole true Ceylon cinnamon quills. It is valued for fine, carefully rolled quills, a pale golden-tan appearance, delicate aroma, and refined flavour.
Is this real Ceylon cinnamon?
Yes. This product is made from Cinnamomum verum, also known as true Ceylon cinnamon, sourced from Sri Lanka.
How is Alba different from regular Ceylon cinnamon?
Both are true Ceylon cinnamon. Alba Grade is selected for particularly fine, premium whole quills with a more delicate appearance and refined presentation. Standard Ceylon cinnamon is still excellent for everyday tea, cooking, and baking. See our full Ceylon cinnamon grades guide.
How do I know it is not cassia cinnamon?
True Ceylon cinnamon quills are made of many thin bark layers rolled together, while cassia is usually a single hard, thick bark curl. Ceylon also has a softer, sweeter aroma and a lighter tan colour. Read our Ceylon cinnamon coumarin guide for more detail.
Can I use Alba Grade cinnamon every day?
You can use it as a culinary spice in everyday tea, food, and recipes. For supplement-style amounts or when taking prescription medicine, speak with a healthcare professional first.
How many sticks should I use for tea?
Start with one Alba quill per cup. Steep for 10–15 minutes, then adjust the next cup based on your preferred strength.
Should I choose sticks or powder?
Choose whole Alba quills for tea, refined cooking, gifting, and fresh grinding. Choose powder when you need quick convenience or precise teaspoon measurements. See our Ceylon cinnamon powder vs sticks guide.
How should I store whole cinnamon quills?
Keep them in an airtight container in a cool, dry, dark cupboard. Avoid humidity, direct sunlight, and storage beside the stove or sink.
Why Buy From Ceylon Spice Garden?
- Sri Lankan origin: Ceylon cinnamon sourced and packed in Sri Lanka.
- True botanical identity: Cinnamomum verum, not cassia.
- Lab-tested every batch: species ID, heavy metals, and coumarin — with the certificate published for each batch.
- Premium whole quills: Alba Grade presentation for tea, cooking, chefs, and gifts.
- Multiple sizes: Choose a small pack to try or a larger size for regular use.
- Tracked international shipping: Shipped from Sri Lanka to customers worldwide.
Bring home the refined aroma and naturally sweet flavour of premium Alba Grade Ceylon cinnamon — a whole spice made for beautiful tea, thoughtful cooking, and fresh grinding whenever you need it.
This batch, verified.
Most "Ceylon" cinnamon sold online is actually cassia — a different species with a very different composition. So we test every batch at Sri Lanka's national laboratory and publish the certificate.
| Test | Limit / spec | Result | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Species identification | Cinnamomum verum | Confirmed — Cinnamomum verum | PASS |
| Lead (Pb) | ≤ 1.0 ppm (NY action level) | 0.2 ppm | PASS |
| Arsenic (As) | ≤ 1.0 ppm | Not detected (<0.05) | PASS |
| Cadmium (Cd) | ≤ 0.5 ppm | 0.05 ppm | PASS |
| Mercury (Hg) | ≤ 0.1 ppm | Not detected (<0.05) | PASS |
Lead in cinnamon has been a recurring US recall story — species fraud and contamination are real. Testing is the only way to know. Our lead-testing standard →
Which Ceylon cinnamon is right for you?
| Product | Best for | |
|---|---|---|
| Alba grade quills | The finest, thinnest grade — gifting, tea, and tasting cinnamon at its best | YOU'RE HERE |
| C5 grade sticks | The everyday quill — same true cinnamon, working-kitchen price | View → |
| C5 ground powder | Baking, smoothies, coffee — ready to spoon | View → |
| Cinnamon tea bags | The no-fuss caffeine-free cup, 30 sachets | View → |
| Bark oil | Home fragrance & aromatherapy — not for cooking | View → |
Still deciding? See grades explained · sticks vs powder.
How do I know this is real Ceylon cinnamon?
Two ways. At home: real Ceylon quills are rolled from many paper-thin layers, light tan, and crumble by hand — cassia is one thick, rock-hard curl. From us: every batch's species is verified by an ISO/IEC 17025 lab and the certificate is published. Full guide: how to identify Ceylon cinnamon.
What's the difference between Alba and C5 grade?
Grades measure quill thinness — Alba is the thinnest, most delicate grade (the "champagne" of Ceylon cinnamon), C5 a step below and the everyday choice. Same species, same tree; the difference is craft and refinement. See our grades guide.
How much cinnamon can I use per day?
The relevant limit is coumarin, and true Ceylon contains only trace amounts — a typical adult stays far below the European guideline even at a few teaspoons daily, which is not true of cassia. Check your number by body weight with the safe cinnamon calculator, and see how much per day.
What about lead in cinnamon?
A fair question after the US recalls. This batch measured 0.2 ppm — a fifth of New York's 1.0 ppm action level, the strictest US benchmark — with arsenic and mercury not detected. The certificate is published here.
How fast is shipping to the USA?
Orders ship farm-direct from Sri Lanka with full tracking; typical US delivery is 8–12 days door-to-door. Every parcel includes its batch's Certificate of Analysis.
Featured collection
-
Ceylon Cinnamon Powder C5 Grade - True Cinnamon for All Uses
Vendor:Ceylon Spice GardenRegular price From $10.99 USDRegular priceSale price From $10.99 USD -
Premium Ceylon Cinnamon Alba Grade - Finest Sri Lankan True Cinnamon Quills
Vendor:Ceylon Spice GardenRegular price From $19.99 USDRegular priceSale price From $19.99 USD -
Ceylon Turmeric Powder – Pure Sri Lankan Golden Spice
Vendor:Ceylon Spice GardenRegular price From $7.49 USDRegular price$8.99 USDSale price From $7.49 USDSale -
Ceylon Cinnamon Sticks C5 Grade – True Cinnamon Quills from Sri Lanka
Vendor:Ceylon Spice GardenRegular price From $10.99 USDRegular priceSale price From $10.99 USD
Why Choose Ceylon Spice Garden?
Discover the difference that authentic Ceylon spices can make in your culinary journey
25+ Years of Excellence
With over 25 years of expertise in sourcing and processing authentic Ceylon spices, we bring you the finest quality directly from Sri Lankan gardens.
Premium Quality Guaranteed
Every spice is carefully selected, processed, and packaged to maintain maximum freshness, flavor, and nutritional value. We guarantee the highest standards.
Fast & Reliable Shipping
Our efficient logistics network ensures your spices reach you fresh and on time, with tracking available for all orders worldwide.
100% Authentic Ceylon
Sourced directly from certified organic farms in Sri Lanka, our spices are 100% authentic Ceylon varieties with unmatched flavor profiles.
Let customers speak for us
FAQ
How do I place an order?
Browse our spices, select the quantity, and click “Add to cart.” Once ready, click the cart icon and follow the checkout steps.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, PayPal, and major international credit cards.
Can I ship internationally?
Yes! We ship worldwide. International shipping costs are calculated at checkout based on destination.
How long will delivery take?
Domestic orders (Sri Lanka) arrive in 3–7 business days. International orders take 7–21 business days, depending on destination and customs.
Do you offer tracking?
Yes. Once your order ships, you’ll receive a tracking number via email.
What is your return policy?
We accept returns within 30 days of delivery for unopened, unused products. Contact us at support@ceylonspicegarden.com to initiate a return.
Are your spices organic and fresh?
Absolutely! All our spices are sourced directly from Sri Lankan farms, carefully processed, and packed to preserve maximum freshness.
How do I contact customer support?
You can reach us via email at support@ceylonspicegarden.com or call +940770261046 (Mon–Fri, 9 am–5 pm GMT+5:30).