Cinnamon (cinnamomum zeylanicum) and Cassia (cinnamomum Cassia) Cinnamon and Cassia are the two oldest spices known to the man. Both condiments were probably known to the ancients at a very early period in history, for they are mentioned frequently in the bible. There has always been confusion between cinnamon and cassia with cassia nowadays almost entirely replacing cinnamon. Both cinnamon and cassia are harvested by peeling of the bark from the trees with curved knives.