The sweet, but tangy scent of cinnamon flavors the holiday kitchen and invites us into the warmth and wonder of the season.  Cinnamon is a spice that leaves its signature flavor not only on our taste buds, but also in our memory.  Nostalgic recollections of past holidays blend with delightful anticipation of the tastes and treats of the present holidays.

Cinnamon is native to India and Sri Lanka, where it grows in hot, humid, tropical climates. If left untended, the cinnamon tree will grow to a height of 30 to 50 feet.  For cultivation purposes, shoots of the tree are trimmed twice each year.  The yellowish-brown outer bark is scraped off to expose pale, brown strips of inner bark.  As it dries, the bark curls itself into quills.  The thinnest quills are the most highly desired.

Throughout history, cinnamon has been a valued spice, both as a trading commodity and as a flavor enhancer.  The prized bark also had medicinal value and was an ingredient for love potions, perfume and incense in ancient times, especially by the rich upper classes.  Rumors and legends claim that over one year’s supply of cinnamon was burned at Nero’s funeral in Rome.

Herodotus, a Greek historian and traveler, told of dangerous eagles that made their nests of cinnamon sticks.  Brave traders lured the birds away with raw meat.  When they flew back to their nests with the meat, the extra weight was so great that pieces of the cinnamon nest would break off.  Traders would then rush in to collect the broken sticks.  Such daring feats and risks commanded high prices for cinnamon. 

Much of the cinnamon in ancient times came by way of Malaysia and Indonesia to Madagascar, a 4500 mile journey by sea in double outrigger canoes.  From there, it traveled up the coast of east Arica to the Red Sea.  The threat of spice thieves and dragon-like eagles made the spice even more desirable, exotic and expensive. 

 From exotic trade routes to supermarket shelves, cinnamon has made  its way into our holiday recipes and decorations, sprinkling its flavor and aroma into our sensory memories of holiday traditions.

For more stories and traditions about cinnamon and other holiday plants, check out Decking the Halls – the Folklore and Traditions of Christmas Plants.