Cassia Cinnamon Powder Cinnamon can quickly lose its organic flavor once it has gone through the ground process unless airtight sealed and stored properly in a cool, dry place. If stored properly, the cinnamon and its fresh aroma can remain vibrant for up to a year. The cinnamon ground has an extremely rich aroma which runs the original taste more than any other grown cinnamon. Indonesian cassia cinnamon's taste is bitter or astringent, citrus, pungent, sweet, and woody. Cinnamon powder is made up of 4 to 6 percent essential oil as it gives the cinnamon its intense, aroma and favorable flavor. In the United States, cinnamon powder is most commonly used versus cinnamon sticks.