History of Cinnamon
Dec, 13, 2007
Posted byHISTORY
Cinnamon has an interesting history and a variety of uses including uses as a spice, medicinal uses and even as an embalming agent in ancient Egypt. It emerges into history from the earliest Chinese texts on the subject of botanical medicine about 2700 BC, and more recently in the bible as early as about 1400 BC. Cinnamon, which comes from the bark of a small Southeast Asian evergreen tree, was treasured more than gold during some times in history. Cinnamon (also true cinnamon or Ceylon Cinnamon) comes from Brazil, the Caribbean, India, Madagascar, and Sri-Lanka; while more common Cassia (Chinese cinnamon) is found in China, Indonesia and Vietnam. The most common cinnamon in the US today is Cassia, or Chinese Cinnamon.
The ancient “cinnamon trade” ran from East Asia and India to the rest of West Asia and later Africa, and Europe. Its trade has made many people and even empires & republics rich – some have flourished while others met their demise. Eventually the Crusades exposed cinnamon to Europeans even more and demand increased.
Cinnamon’s Uses Throughout History: Cinnamon has been used to prevent food spoilage, treat illnesses, flavor food, freshen breath and more.
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