BROKEN CASSIA(CINNAMON): NOT ALL CASSIA PIECES ARE THE SAME

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BROKEN CASSIA types and Grades

When global buyers think of Vietnamese cassia, they often imagine long, beautifully rolled sticks with high oil content and a rich sweet-spicy aroma. But another important category for industrial spice processing is broken cassia, a diverse group of cassia products used in powder production, extraction, seasoning blends, and herbal applications.

Despite its simple name, broken cinnamon cassia is not a single product. It includes several specialized grades, each with its own characteristics, oil content, size range, and pricing structure. Understanding these differences helps importers choose the best option for cost, performance, and intended application.

At VietGlobal Export (VGE), we export the full spectrum of broken cassia grades from Yen Bai and Lao Cai, the heartlands of Vietnam’s cassia industry.

WHAT IS BROKEN CASSIA?

Broken cassia refers to cassia bark that has been intentionally processed into smaller fragments by cracking, splitting, hammering, or pressing. Importers often assume broken cinnamon cassia is the “leftover” of the industry, but this is not true.

Broken cinnamon is not a sign of low-quality cassia. Many forms are produced on purpose and meet strict export standards to serve the needs of:

  • Cassia powder manufacturers
  • Essential oil distillation plants
  • Seasoning and masala factories
  • Tea and beverage blend producers
  • Herbal and nutraceutical manufacturers

For large-volume industrial buyers, broken cassia offers excellent cost efficiency with consistent aroma performance. Below are the most common broken cinnamon types that VGE exports — each with unique characteristics and uses.

BROKEN CASSIA (REGULAR)

This is the most common and most misunderstood type. Regular broken is not the leftover or low-grade bark, it comes from cinnamon branches, where the bark is:

  • Naturally thin
  • Harder to peel with a knife
  • More curved and fibrous

To collect it, farmers use a traditional method: tapping (“hammering”) the branches so the bark cracks and falls off in small pieces.

broken-cinnamon-cassia

Characteristics:

  • Sourced from branch bark
  • Thin, light pieces 1–4 cm
  • Oil content: 2%–3.5%
  • Bright aroma, clean taste
  • Very popular in India, Bangladesh & Pakistan

Best for: cassia powder, tea blends, low-cost spice mixes, large-volume manufacturing.

BROKEN SPLIT CASSIA

This type comes from thicker bark that is split lengthwise, resulting in a flatter, more uniform shape.

Characteristics:

  • More consistent appearance
  • Thicker texture than hammered pieces
  • Oil content: 2%–4%

Best for: tea production, extraction, buyers needing uniformity.

PRESS BROKEN CASSIA

Pressed broken cinnamon is designed for buyers seeking maximum logistics efficiency and lower landed cost. Unlike loose, broken bark, this product is tightly compressed, reducing air gaps and significantly increasing weight per carton.

This means:

  • Lower shipping cost per ton
  • Better container utilization
  • More competitive pricing

To further optimize pricing, some buyers choose to blend pressed broken with cinnamon husk/skin, reducing cost while maintaining workable aroma levels for industrial applications.

Important note for importers:
Because pressed broken can be produced in multiple oil content ranges, buyers should clearly specify the desired oil percentage before confirming the order. This ensures the product meets the intended quality level for extraction, grinding, or seasoning production.

Best for: oil extraction plants, industrial seasoning producers, bulk buyers optimizing cost.

BROKEN CASSIA KABC / KBBC

Broken cassia KABC and KBBC are premium grades within the broken cinnamon cassia category: thicker, cleaner, and richer in essential oils compared to regular broken pieces. These grades are intentionally produced by processing mature cassia bark before breaking it into smaller pieces.

Characteristics:

  • Thickness: significantly thicker than regular broken
  • Size: 2–5 cm
  • Oil Content: high (typically 2%–4%), ideal for extraction
  • Clean, uniform pieces with low admixture
  • Moisture ≤ 13.5%
cassia chips

Because of their superior thickness and aroma, KABC and KBBC are widely used in:

  • Premium cassia powder manufacturing
  • Food & beverage formulations
  • Herbal and pharmaceutical applications
  • Essential oil extraction
  • High-aroma seasoning blends

These grades offer a balance of strong flavour, reliable oil yield, and consistent particle size, making them a top choice for professional buyers who need higher-grade raw materials.

BROKEN CIGARETTE CASSIA

Broken cigarette cassia is produced from the end pieces and offcuts created when cigarette cassia sticks are trimmed to size. During the production of 6–8–10 cm cigarette sticks, the cut ends and leftover strips naturally break off. These fragments are collected, cleaned, and sorted.

Despite the irregular shape, the oil content and aroma quality are the same as standard cigarette cassia, offering premium performance at a more affordable price.

Characteristics

  • Derived directly from cigarette cassia sticks
  • Thin bark → strong aroma
  • Consistent oil content
  • More economical than full cigarette sticks

FAQ: QUICK ANSWERS FOR IMPORTERS

1. Which broken cassia is best for powder production?

Broken cigarette cassia (quế sáo vụn) — thin bark, strong aroma, high oil retention.

2. Which grade should I buy for essential oil extraction?

KABC, KBBC or pressed broken cinnamon cassia, depending on oil level (2–5%) and budget.

3. What is the HS code for broken cassia?

Most importers use:

  • 090611 – Cassia, neither crushed nor ground
  • 090619 – Other cinnamon and cassia

4. What is the typical price range?

Depending on grade, oil content, and season:
👉 1,800 – 2,600 USD/MT FOB Vietnam

5. Is pressed broken cinnamon cheaper? Why?

Yes — because the bark is compressed to increase carton weight from 10 kg → 25 kg, reducing freight cost and improving container efficiency.

6. Can I request a specific oil content?

Yes. VGE offers 1%–5% oil depending on grade.
Buyers should clearly specify oil level before booking.

7. Do you provide full export documents?

Yes — CO, Phytosanitary, Fumigation, HALAL, HACCP/ISO, SGS testing on request.

8. Why choose VGE for broken cassia?

We work directly at the source in Yen Bai & Lao Cai, providing:

  • Consistent moisture control
  • Accurate grading
  • Low admixture
  • Full QC photos/videos
  • Transparent pricing and reliable shipments

“We don’t just export cassia,  we represent you in Vietnam.”

📧 sales@exportviet.com
🌐 www.exportviet.com
 📱 WhatsApp: +84 812 540 881

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