Beyond Cinnamon Rolls: 5 Ways to Use Cassia in Your Indian Cooking

When most people think of cinnamon, they picture sweet treats—cinnamon rolls, cookies, or spiced lattes. But in Indian kitchens, cassia—often mistaken for cinnamon—is a bold, savory star. With its rich, spicy-sweet flavor and woody aroma, cassia (dalchini) is more than a dessert spice—it's a foundation of countless Indian dishes.

At Welza Foods, we’re here to help you unlock the full potential of this underrated spice. Let’s explore five delicious, savory ways to use cassia in your everyday Indian cooking.

🌶 1. Add Depth to Curries and Gravies
A small piece of cassia added while tempering spices brings warmth and complexity to curries like:

Butter Chicken

Paneer Tikka Masala

Rajma or Chole

Its slightly sweet notes mellow out strong flavors like chilli and ginger, giving your curry a full-bodied richness that lingers.

Tip: Toss a 1-inch stick into your hot oil or ghee at the beginning of cooking. Let it sizzle until fragrant before adding onions or other spices.

🍚 2. Flavorful Pulao & Biryani Base
Cassia is a biryani essential. It infuses the rice with sweet, woody notes that balance the heat of green chillies, the sharpness of onions, and the earthiness of meat or vegetables.

Use it in:

Hyderabadi Biryani

Kashmiri Pulao

Vegetable Tehri

Pro Tip: Use whole cassia along with bay leaves, cloves, and cardamom in your rice's spice mix for that signature biryani aroma.

🫘 3. Enhance Dal Tadka & Lentil Dishes
Even the humblest dal can be elevated with a touch of cassia. While not traditional in all dal recipes, adding cassia to your tempering can deepen the flavor.

Great in:

Dal Makhani

Chana Dal

Moong Dal Khichdi

How to Use: Drop a stick into your tadka (tempering oil) with cumin seeds, garlic, and dried red chillies.

🫕 4. Boost Spice Blends (Garam Masala, Chole Masala, etc.)
Cassia is a backbone spice in most Indian spice blends. Grinding it into your homemade garam masala or chaat masala brings that warm, cozy depth that defines authentic Indian flavor.

Try blending cassia into:

Garam Masala

Chana Masala

Sabzi Masala

Tip: Always roast the cassia stick briefly before grinding for maximum aroma.

☕ 5. Spice Up Indian Beverages
Yes, cassia isn’t just for food—it elevates Indian beverages too! It adds warmth and fragrance to teas and herbal drinks.

Use it in:

Masala Chai – Simmer a small piece with cardamom, ginger, and cloves.

Kadha (Ayurvedic Decoction) – Combine cassia with tulsi, black pepper, and honey to soothe the throat and boost immunity.

🔥 Final Thoughts
Cassia is so much more than “cinnamon’s cousin.” It’s a bold, versatile spice that deserves a prime spot in your spice rack—not just your baking pantry. Its ability to transform both everyday meals and festive dishes makes it an essential in Indian cooking.

So next time you reach for cassia, skip the sugar and explore the savory side. From dals to biryanis, it might just become your new secret ingredient.

Explore Welza Cassia Today
At Welza Foods, we offer premium-quality cassia that’s hand-selected for aroma, flavor, and strength. Take your Indian cooking to the next level—one stick at a time.