Cinnamon has a history of thousand of years. It was already used by Egyptians in 3000 BC for embalmment, and it is also quoted in the Bible, when God gives Moses order to consecrate the temple with a mix of aromatic substances, among which cinnamon.

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.

In the Middle Ages, Arabs were no longer the only ones to sell cinnamon in the Western world. Spice trade gained a huge political and economical role. One of the original goals of Columbus’ journey, that ended up with the discovery of America, was to expand the trade routes to the East.

Venice started to trade cinnamon from the Arabs and became the monopolist for spices in Europe. Their supremacy lasted until the beginning of the 16th century, when the Portuguese conquered Ceylon (old name for Sri Lanka), where most cinnamon could be found. After 100 years the Dutch came and took over Portugal.

Even though the production of cinnamon spread to other areas in the world, 90% of it is still produced in Sri Lanka.

Since the ancient Greeks, the use of cinnamon hasn’t changed much: as a medicine, to enhance flavors, and even to get rid of insects.