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Cinnamon is more than just a sweet, fragrant spice. Behind every cinnamon stick is a history steeped in mystery, power, and economic ambition. For centuries, cinnamon was so rare and desired that it was considered more valuable than gold — shaping ancient trade routes, colonial empires, and even sparking war.

The Mysterious Origins

In ancient times, the true origin of cinnamon was unknown to the Western world. Arab traders dominated the spice routes and protected their monopoly by crafting elaborate stories:

• They claimed cinnamon was found in the nests of giant mythical birds, and harvesters risked their lives to collect it.
• Others said it grew on trees in deep, snake-infested valleys guarded by dangerous creatures.
• These myths not only added to the mystique but also deterred competition and kept prices high.

In truth, true cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum) came from the lush forests of Sri Lanka, while a stronger, more pungent cousin called cassia (Cinnamomum cassia) was sourced from China and Southeast Asia.

Cinnamon in the Ancient World

Cinnamon has been used for over 4,000 years, and its presence is recorded in the Bible, ancient Egyptian texts, Chinese medicine, and Roman history.

• Ancient Egyptians used cinnamon for embalming mummies and in perfumes due to its preservative and aromatic properties.
• In the Hebrew Bible, cinnamon is mentioned as a key ingredient in holy anointing oil.
• Romans, especially the elite, used cinnamon lavishly in food and incense. Emperor Nero burned what was said to be a year’s worth of cinnamon at his wife Poppaea’s funeral as a display of grief and wealth.

At times, cinnamon was 15 times more expensive than silver, and in some markets, was traded ounce for ounce with gold.

Spice Wars and Colonial Ambitions

Cinnamon played a major role in the Age of Exploration. The desire to control the spice trade — especially cinnamon — led European powers to expand aggressively into Asia.

🇵🇹 Portuguese Control

• The Portuguese arrived in Sri Lanka in 1505, and by 1518, they had established forts and monopolized the cinnamon trade.
• They forced local communities to harvest cinnamon under brutal colonial rule.

🇳🇱 Dutch Takeover

• In the 17th century, the Dutch ousted the Portuguese and expanded the cinnamon trade further.
• The Dutch East India Company (VOC) established cinnamon plantations and profited massively from global exports.

🇬🇧 British Domination

• The British took control in the late 1700s, continuing cinnamon cultivation and export under the British Empire.

These powers fought wars, signed treaties, and redrew maps — all in pursuit of spices like cinnamon, which were considered as valuable as oil or diamonds are today.

 Cinnamon and Global Trade Routes

Cinnamon was central to the ancient spice trade:

• Caravans transported cinnamon along the Silk Road and Incense Route, through Arabia, Persia, and into Europe.
• Venetian merchants sold cinnamon at enormous profit margins, and Arab traders kept the supply scarce to inflate prices.

It was so prized that spice boxes were considered heirlooms, and giving cinnamon as a gift symbolized wealth, honor, and purity.

Ceylon Cinnamon: The True Gold

There are two main types of cinnamon:

1. Ceylon Cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum) – the “true” cinnamon, native to Sri Lanka, with a delicate, sweet flavor.
2. Cassia Cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia) – stronger, cheaper, and more common, originating from China and Indonesia.

Today, Sri Lanka remains the world's leading exporter of true cinnamon, maintaining its historical reputation as the land of the finest spice.

 From Treasure to Table

Modern farming and global trade have made cinnamon affordable and widely available, but its legacy lives on:

• It's used in cooking, herbal medicine, cosmetics, aromatherapy, and more.
• Cinnamon still carries an aura of warmth, tradition, and healing — from holiday baking to Ayurvedic teas.

 Final Thought

The next time you sprinkle cinnamon on your dessert or sip cinnamon tea, take a moment to imagine the journey it has taken. Once hoarded by emperors, fought over by empires, and valued more than gold, cinnamon is a spice with a legacy as rich and powerful as its flavor.