As China's largest cinnamon-producing area, Gaoyao District in Zhaoqing City has 700,500 mu (about 46,700 hectares) under cultivation in 2025, yielding 144,600 tons of cinnamon bark annually. The industry's full supply chain generates a total output value of 5.25 billion yuan, with exports mainly to the Middle East, North America, and Southeast Asia.
As a tropical spice, cinnamon is known for its rich, spicy aroma. Every part of the cinnamon tree is valuable: bark for medicine, leaves for oil, a dash to flavor coffee or bread, and even cola wouldn't be the same without it. Cinnamon from Zhaoqing's deep mountains is especially prized for its thick bark, rich oil, and premium quality, making it a key raw material for major food and beverage brands such as Starbucks and Lee Kum Kee.
Coffee infused with cinnamon has become a favorite among many young consumers. Photo by Zhang Ling
Gaoyao's large-scale cinnamon plantations. Photo by Zhang Ling
Editor | Zheng Shenghao (intern), Wei Shen, James, Shen He
