CASSIA BARK, the bark of Cinnamomum Cassia, is one of our most common species, and is very generally sold in the shops under the name of common cinnamon. In European commerce this bark is known by the name of cassia lignea, and is imported into England from Singapore, Malabar, Mauritius, Bombay, Calcutta, Batavia, and Canton. The bark is imported into this country in bundles, which are from 18 to 24 inches in length, and weigh from 1½ to 3 lb. The bundles consist of quills of bark from ¼ to 1 inch in diameter, generally single, rarely double. The bark is much thicker than that of true cinnamon, and the taste is more pungent and less sweet, though somewhat similar to that of cinnamon. The properties of cassia bark depend on the presence of a volatile oil—the oil of cassia, which is imported in a pretty pure state as an article of commerce from Singapore. The comparative cheapness of this agreeable aromatic causes it to be largely used instead of cinnamon. In the year ending 5th January 1852, there were imported into Britain 267,462 lb. of cassia lignea; in 1853, 496,833
lbs.; and in 1854, 220,733 lbs. The oil of cassia is largely sold to the cook and confectioner under the name of oil of cinnamon.
CASSIA BUDS come to us from Singapore, and are probably the flower-buds of the same tree which yields the cassia bark, though this is not precisely known. They possess the same pungency of taste as the cassia bark, and may be substituted for it. The duties on cassia lignea from British possessions from 9th July 1842 have been 2½d. per lb., and on that from foreign countries 3½d. per lb. Cassia buds pay no duty.