HAVE YOU HEARD?

2009

 
 

Cinnamon is not just any spice. Cinnamon has been around for many years and therefore has an interesting history.

  1. -The term “spice” is derived from the Latin species, meaning ‘an article of special value’. It is also defined as an ‘aromatic or pungent vegetable substance...’

  2. -The perfumed woods-cinnamon and cassia- were carried in outrigger canoes to the East African Coast in the first century AD

  3. -As early as the second millennium BC, cinnamon from China and South-East Asia were being brought from Indonesia to Madagascar in primitive canoes. This became known as the “cinnamon route”.

  4. -In 1500 B.C. the Egyptian Queen Hatshepsut used cinnamon in her perfumes. She sent out an expedition of ships to bring spices and aromatics from the land of “Punt”. When these ships returned they had with them fragrant woods including cinnamon and myrrh trees.

  5. -There are references to cinnamon is in the Old Testament of the Bible.
    Photo by Tomasz Sienicki. An image of the bible.

  6. ‣“The Lord spake unto Moses. Take thou also unto thee principal spices, of pure myrrah five hundred shekels, and of sweet cinnamon half so much... and of cassia five hundred shekels... And thou shalt make of it an oil of holy anointment. And Thou shalt anoint the tabernacle of the congregation therewith and the ark of testimony” (Exodus 30:23 - 36).

  7. ‣    “....thy plants are an orchard of pomegranates, with pleasant fruits, camphire, with spikenard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense, myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices” (Chapter 4:13:14).

  8. -In the ancient days, Cinnamon was regarded as more valuable than gold. They were the most valuable medicinal plants for ancient Greeks and Romans.

  9. -Cinnamon bird builds its nest using the fruit of a cinnamon tree.

  10. -Most cinnamon sold in the grocery store is not actually true cinnamon. In fact, what you are purchasing in the grocery store is Cinnamomum cassia, Chinese cinnamon. There are major differences in the two types of cinnamon. Click here to learn more

















 

Interesting Facts You May Not Know About Cinnamon

Photo by TradeWind Fruits. An up close look at cinnamon leaves and their small, shriveled fruits.
Photo by Jaclyn Bero. Store bought cinnamon sticks (Also Chinese cassia)
Photo by Jaclyn Bero. A close up of the label, "thick quill cassia"
Photo by Jaclyn Bero. Store bought ground cinnamon (Notice label says Chinese cassia)
Photo by Jaclyn Bero. A closer look at the cinnamon label.