Description
Occurs in essential oils e.g. from Ocimum and Alpinia subspecies Also present in various fruits, e.g. guava, feijoa, strawberry. Flavouring agent
Methyl cinnamate is the methyl ester of cinnamic acid and is a white or transparent solid with a strong, aromatic odor. It is found naturally in a variety of plants, including in fruits, like strawberry, and some culinary spices, such as Sichuan pepper and some varieties of basil. Eucalyptus olida has the highest known concentrations of methyl cinnamate (98%) with a 2-6% fresh weight yield in the leaf and twigs. Methyl cinnamate is found in many foods, some of which are chinese cinnamon, fruits, herbs and spices, and sweet basil.