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The Merchant · The House SelectionStudy 01 / Ceylon Cinnamon
The Merchant Alba Ceylon cinnamon in an amber glass jar
Fig. 01Alba · The Merchant’s House Selection
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An examination of fineness / No. 01

AlbaThe Rarest.

The most delicate expression of Ceylon cinnamon begins with the quill itself.

Alba is distinguished by exceptionally fine, closely layered inner bark. Its character is not a different species, but a more exacting selection within Cinnamomum verum, chosen for fineness, finish, and a quiet aromatic grace.

≤6mmMaximum quill diameter
The finest standard grade
Examine the quill

The grade · examined

What makes Alba exceptional.

Alba’s distinction is visible before it is tasted: a narrow quill, fine bark, and a composed finish that demand precision in selection and hand-rolling.

Plate IIA study of the quill
Illustrative study of a hand-rolled Alba cinnamon quillA brown pencil study of a layered quill with a small end-view study and a diameter annotation. The drawing is not to scale.A / INNER BARKB / LAYERED ENDHAND-ROLLED≤ 6 MM
Illustrative study / not to scale
01

Diameter

No more than 6 mm across. It is the thinnest standard Ceylon cinnamon quill grade.

02

Bark & making

Selected, very thin inner bark, carefully hand-rolled into fine, closely layered quills.

03

Appearance

Pale, smooth, tightly layered quills with limited “foxing,” the surface blemishing assessed in grading.

04

Quill count

At least 45 standard 42-inch quills per kilogram in the grade reference. This describes full-length export quills, not pieces in a retail jar.

05

Character

Gentler, sweeter, and more delicate: a refinement of Ceylon cinnamon’s character, not a different species.

Grade measurements: Sri Lanka Department of Cinnamon Development .

The hand behind the quill

Fineness is made,
not merely found.

A quill this slender begins with the choice of bark and continues in the patient work of peeling and rolling. The narrow diameter makes each layer, and the skill that formed it, especially apparent.

A note for the kitchen

Where subtlety matters.

Alba’s gentle sweetness and fine aroma are best appreciated where they have room to speak: refined pâtisserie, light infusions, poached fruit, and a restrained finishing touch. Use it for nuance rather than force.

A personal introduction

For your kitchen.
For your table.

We welcome enquiries from chefs, hosts, and those choosing cinnamon for their own table.

Enquire about Alba
C5 Ceylon cinnamon jarAlso in the House SelectionC5The Refined.Explore C5 →