History
World Renowned Brand
Cinnamon, once considered a sacred and prestigious spice, had diverse applications in ancient times. From its use in Egyptian embalming rituals to biblical references, cinnamon played a prominent role. Emperor Nero ' s extravagant burning of a year ' s supply at his wife ' s funeral in 64 AD adds a fascinating historical anecdote. During the Middle Ages, Europeans valued cinnamon as a symbol of status, using it for medicinal purposes and to mask unpleasant odors.
In medieval Europe, cinnamon was a luxury associated with wealth. Europeans utilized the spice for its medicinal properties, addressing indigestion and unpleasant meat smells. This era saw the emergence of cinnamon, along with clove and nutmeg, influencing Europe ' s expansion into Asia. The origin of cinnamon was initially believed to be in Arabia, a misconception perpetuated by traders seeking to inflate its value.
During the 16th century, the Portuguese invaded Sri Lanka, gaining control of the cinnamon trade from the Sinhalese. In 1638, the Dutch, with the help of the kingdom of Kandy, ousted the Portuguese and established their trade. Under Dutch rule, cinnamon exports to Europe and the Indian continent thrived, and they implemented improved cultivation methods. The British took over Ceylon in 1796, finding a declining cinnamon trade. Despite attempts to revitalize cultivation in 1805, the rise of the cheaper Cassia cinnamon led to a gradual decline in demand for Ceylon cinnamon by the mid-1830s.
The British, upon taking control, witnessed a diminishing cinnamon trade in Ceylon. Efforts to enhance cultivation systems began in 1805, but by the mid-1830s, the demand for Ceylon cinnamon waned, largely due to the emergence of the more affordable Cassia cinnamon. Unfortunately, Cassia continues to dominate the cinnamon export market to this day, marking a shift from the historical significance of Ceylon cinnamon.