We have to go back as far as year 3000 BC to find the first traces of cinnamon in Egypt, where it was used to embalm the dead. It's also named in the Old Testament, when God orders Moses to use cinnamon (and other oils) to anoint the temple.
Cinnamon comes from an Island in the East, called Sri Lanka, and it was introduced in the Western world thanks to the Arabs. The exact origins of cinnamon did not became clear until the Middle Ages. Until then, mythical stories surrounded this amazing spice. According to many classical roman authors for example, cinnamon grew around a lake protected by monstrous birds. Whoever wanted to take it, would have to find a way to mislead them.
In the Mediterranean world the several uses of cinnamon, including the therapeutic one, have been known since the Classical period. Cinnamon was believed to cure cough and soar throat. During the Middle Ages cinnamon was one of the gifts to kings and queens, and it was also used in the kitchen on every kind of dish, salted or sweet.
Towards the 12th century, the Arabs started to have competition and at some point ceased to be the only cinnamon traders. The economic and political importance of spice trades, and cinnamon in particular, can be hardly underestimated. One of the reasons why Columbus started his journey was to find an alternative, untouched route for the spice heaven of the East.
In Europe, Venetian traders imported cinnamon from Arabs and held the monopoly, until the Portuguese discovered Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) in 1505, the greatest source for cinnamon. Portugal created its own monopoly, which lasted for the whole century, until the Dutch arrived and established their supremacy on the island.
Even though the production of cinnamon spread to other areas in the world, 90% of it is still produced in Sri Lanka.
The uses of cinnamon haven't changed over the centuries. It's still used as a spice, in official and alternative medicine, and as insect repellent.
Cinnamon comes from an Island in the East, called Sri Lanka, and it was introduced in the Western world thanks to the Arabs. The exact origins of cinnamon did not became clear until the Middle Ages. Until then, mythical stories surrounded this amazing spice. According to many classical roman authors for example, cinnamon grew around a lake protected by monstrous birds. Whoever wanted to take it, would have to find a way to mislead them.
In the Mediterranean world the several uses of cinnamon, including the therapeutic one, have been known since the Classical period. Cinnamon was believed to cure cough and soar throat. During the Middle Ages cinnamon was one of the gifts to kings and queens, and it was also used in the kitchen on every kind of dish, salted or sweet.
Towards the 12th century, the Arabs started to have competition and at some point ceased to be the only cinnamon traders. The economic and political importance of spice trades, and cinnamon in particular, can be hardly underestimated. One of the reasons why Columbus started his journey was to find an alternative, untouched route for the spice heaven of the East.
In Europe, Venetian traders imported cinnamon from Arabs and held the monopoly, until the Portuguese discovered Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) in 1505, the greatest source for cinnamon. Portugal created its own monopoly, which lasted for the whole century, until the Dutch arrived and established their supremacy on the island.
Even though the production of cinnamon spread to other areas in the world, 90% of it is still produced in Sri Lanka.
The uses of cinnamon haven't changed over the centuries. It's still used as a spice, in official and alternative medicine, and as insect repellent.
About the Author:
If you want to know more about this unbelievable spice, then visit Alex's blog, to find out how cinnamon works, with recipes, a little bit of history and other uses of cinnamon.
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