How to Extract Cinnamon Oil
Cinnamon oil can be used to fragrance a room or to enhance the flavor of certain dishes. Some studies have shown that cinnamon can be used as an antibacterial treatment for minor issues and enhance memory and alertness. Making your own at home is an affordable way to always have this spice oil on hand.
Making your own cinnamon oil is much cheaper than buying it in the store. Knowing how to make your own means you'll always have some on hand to keep your home smelling fresh or add to food as you please.
What You'll Need:
- 10 cinnamon sticks
- 2 cups of olive oil
- Strainer
- Dark bottle (amber or blue)
- Grate the cinnamon sticks. This is a tough job, but it gives you a more potent oil in the long run. The grating doesn't need to be very fine, a course grate is enough. You can also substitute 1/2 cup of ground cinnamon if you don't want to deal with grating sticks.
- Place the grated cinnamon and olive oil in a large pot. Heat this up on medium heat for about five minutes.
- Remove the pot from the heat and turn the stove off. Allow the oil to cool completely.
- Strain the oil through the strainer to remove all of the bark. If you don't have a fine mesh strainer you can use a small colander with a coffee filter.
- Pour the oil in a dark colored container. Dark blue and amber are good choices as it helps prevent natural light from breaking down the oil. Label the bottle with a date so you know when it's time to toss the oil. Cinnamon oil stored properly will last about a month before you need to throw it away.