Do You Know About the Period in Which There Was A War Behind Cinnamon

Cinnamon is a spice whose strong aroma changes the taste of food. Many of its advantages are enumerated. If a little more is used in food, instead of improving the taste, it starts deteriorating. Today you may not appreciate it so much, but there was a time when there was a war behind it.

You would be surprised to know that at one time this spice was only presented as a gift. The history of cinnamon is long and quite dramatic. This rich spice was used in puddings, rolls, etc., but its complex flavor has been a reflection of the changing world situation. Let us tell you about its rich history in this article today.

Did cinnamon come from Sri Lanka?

Originally native to the lush island of Sri Lanka, formerly Ceylon, the dried bark of the laurel tree has been used for centuries. It is believed to be so old that the first written reference to cinnamon appeared in 3000 BC when its name appeared in Chinese writings as a treatment for digestive problems and influenza.

It also appeared in the writings of ancient Greece and Rome, and the ancient Egyptians valued it for its preservation properties and used it for embalming mummies. One fascinating aspect of cinnamon's history is that for centuries the source of this valuable spice was virtually unknown!

Only kings were gifted

This spice was so important and unique during that time that its prices skyrocketed. This mysterious and singular source for supplies meant that it would be rare and expensive. This was the reason that it was given only as a gift to the King-Maharaja.

You might be surprised to know that in the first century AD, Pliny the Elder described 350 grams of cinnamon as worth more than five kilograms of silver, which means it was about fifteen times the value of silver per weight.< /p>

Used by medieval physicians

Medieval physicians used cinnamon in medicines to treat coughs, sore throats. The spice was also valued for meat because of its preservative properties, which inhibit bacteria responsible for spoilage.

When the war broke out for cinnamon

In the 17th century, the Dutch seized the world's largest cinnamon supplier, the island of Ceylon from the Portuguese. He demanded its quota from the poor laboring Chaliya caste. When the Dutch learned of the source of cinnamon on the coast of India, they bribed the local king and threatened to destroy it, thus maintaining their monopoly on the prized spice.

In 1795, England seized Ceylon from the French, who had gained it from their victory over Holland during the Revolutionary Wars. Although this spice, whose discussions became very popular, soon became common. Indeed by 1833, other countries had found that it could be grown easily in areas such as Java, Sumatra, Borneo, Mauritius, Reunion, and Guyana. Not only this, but cinnamon is now also grown in South America, West Indies, and other tropical climates.