cassia

Everyday

1. A spice made from the bark of a tree; it tastes and smells like cinnamon and is often sold as cinnamon. tree →
2. A tree or bush with yellow flowers in warm countries; some kinds are grown in gardens and parks. tree →
3. (Bible) A sweet-smelling spice mentioned in the Bible, used in holy oil and perfumes. tree →

In the lessons

In cooking and food lessons it explains where much «cinnamon» in shops really comes from. In geography and science it is a plant of warm places such as China, India and Australia. In Bible lessons it is one of the spices in the holy anointing oil. It tells the reader about a warm, sweet smell or a yellow-flowered tree.

Examples

• Much of the cinnamon sold in supermarkets is actually cassia. tree →
• Cassia bark is thicker and rougher than true cinnamon. tree →
• Grandma's apple cake smelled of cassia and cloves. tree →
• Bright yellow cassia trees lined the street in the summer. tree →
• The Bible lists cassia among the spices for the holy oil. tree →
• Cassia comes from the bark of a tree that grows in southern China. tree →
• We crushed a stick of cassia in the science lesson to smell it. tree →

Note

Say «KASS-ee-uh». As a spice it is uncountable (some cassia); as a tree it is countable (cassias). Trap: cassia and true cinnamon are related but not the same plant; true cinnamon comes mostly from Sri Lanka.

In Jewish tradition

It is a sweet-smelling spice. It was one of the spices in the holy anointing oil of the Tabernacle. It was also traded as a costly good and used to perfume garments.

Interpretation. Tradition teaches that this oil was used only for holy things and for anointing priests and kings, and that no one was allowed to make it for ordinary use.

Examples

• and of cassia five hundred, after the shekel of the sanctuary, and of olive oil a hin. (Torah EXO.30.24, JPS 1917) tree →
• Vedan and Javan traded with yarn for thy wares; massive iron, cassia, and calamus, were among thy merchandise. (Prophets EZK.27.19, JPS 1917) tree →
• Myrrh, and aloes, and cassia are all thy garments; out of ivory palaces stringed instruments have made thee glad. (Writings PSA.45.9, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Say «KASS-ee-uh». As a spice it is uncountable (some cassia); as a tree it is countable (cassias). Trap: cassia and true cinnamon are related but not the same plant; true cinnamon comes mostly from Sri Lanka.