Cinnamomum
is derived from the Hebraic and
A bi t
i
f
t i
ra c erm
amomon
, mean ng ragran sp ce
plant.
History
•
Cinnamon has been consumed as early as 2000 BC
–
Egyptians use it as a perfuming agent in embalming
–
It was used throughout the ancient world
–
During medieval times, used by doctors to treat
conditions such as coughing, arthritis and sore throats
•
Arab traders introduce it to Europe
–
Arabs kept the origins of cinnamon a secret
•
Columbus set out to find cinnamon and rhubarb but
samples he got were not cinnamon
•
Around 1518, Portuguese traders discovered
cinnamon in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka)
