Cinnamon: Did You Know?
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.
Until the 12th century the origins of cinnamon were not clear. In the ancient classical world, it was surrounded by mythical stories. It was a common belief that harvesting cinnamon was a particular dangerous task: cinnamon fields were protected by monstrous birds and the Arabs had to wear animal skins in order not to be attacked. It was only at the beginning of the 14th century that it was found out that cinnamon comes primarily from Ceylon (now Sri Lanka).
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.
During the Middle Ages the Arabs were no longer the only cinnamon merchants. Spices (and cinnamon with them), became very important also from a political standpoint. Columbus' first goal for example, was to find a different route to the trades on other side of the world.
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.
Over the following centuries, cinnamon started to be cultivated in other areas in the East, even though the main producer remains Sri Lanka, with over 90% of cinnamon worldwide.
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. - 17273
Until the 12th century the origins of cinnamon were not clear. In the ancient classical world, it was surrounded by mythical stories. It was a common belief that harvesting cinnamon was a particular dangerous task: cinnamon fields were protected by monstrous birds and the Arabs had to wear animal skins in order not to be attacked. It was only at the beginning of the 14th century that it was found out that cinnamon comes primarily from Ceylon (now Sri Lanka).
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.
During the Middle Ages the Arabs were no longer the only cinnamon merchants. Spices (and cinnamon with them), became very important also from a political standpoint. Columbus' first goal for example, was to find a different route to the trades on other side of the world.
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.
Over the following centuries, cinnamon started to be cultivated in other areas in the East, even though the main producer remains Sri Lanka, with over 90% of cinnamon worldwide.
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. - 17273
About the Author:
If you want to know more about this incredible spice, then visit Alex's blog, to find out how cinnamon works, with dishes, history and alternative uses of cinnamon.
posted by X - Men at
11:08 AM
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