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Cinnamon is first found in Chinese writings in 2800 BC. The Chinese people call it "kwai". The scientific name for true cinnamon is called "Cinnamomum zeylanicum". Some people argue that cinnamon is the first spice humans ever used
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Pliny the Elder in 100 BC writes about how cinnamon is worth more than 15 times silver by weight.
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In 65 AD Nero the emperor emblams his wife using cinnamon and burns a year's supply of cinnamon at her funeral. Later on cinnamon is often still used for funerals.
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In 1271 BC the Bible mentions Moses using cinnamon in his annointing oils. There are other mentions of cinnamon in the Bible later on.
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The first evidence is found that cinnamon was imported from Asia to Egypt in 2000 BC.
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Arab traders first introduced cinnamon to mainland Europe in 500 BC. It takes Europe by storm and as you can see, becomes one of the most popular and profitable spices.
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Medival cooks use cinnamon as medicine to cure coughing, sore throats, and hoarseness. The spice is also used to preserve meat, and is a luxury spice used by the wealthy in their cooking.
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The Black Death destroys Europe, and trading collapses on the Silk Road. This causes a lack of cinnamon and super high prices. Explorers start looking for sea routes to Ceylon and India to replace the Silk Road, and find more spices.
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The island of Cyelon, where true cinnamon grows, is discovered and taken over by Portuguese traders.
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Ceylon used to be controlled by Portuguese, and in 1580 the Dutch seized Ceylon from the Portuguese.
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For all of the 17th century, cinnamon is the most profitiable spice for Europe. It, along with other spices, played a huge role in Europe's expansion into Asia.
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Cinnamon was originally found only on the island of Ceylon (Sri Lanka). After the Dutch seized Ceylon from the Portuguese, they took over the native people of Cyelon and had a monopoly of the cinnamon market.
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In Amersterdam, the Dutch burn 16 million French Livres of cinnamon in order to keep their monopoly on cinnamon and the prices high. The funny thing is that Holland was covered in a massive cloud of sweet-smelling cinnamon smoke for days to come.
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The English take over the island of Ceylon the native growing place of true cinnamon. Now the cinnamon monopoly is controlled by the British instead of the Dutch.
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Cinnamon farming is no longer confined to Ceylon. It spreads to other tropical places, including South America, Borneo, Indonesia, and Guyana.
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Wrigley introduces Big Red Gum, the most popular type of cinnamon gum since 1987.
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Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal is first introduced, and it is one of the most popular ways that people (at least it is for me) enjoy a little bit of cinnamon in there daily lives.
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The first Cinnabon opens in Washington. Cinnabon is one of the most popular food chains, with its delicious products (like Cinnamon rolls and churros) that feature cinnamon. They use Markata cinnamon from Indonesia.
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As of now, Cinnabon has spread to over 750 stores in over 30 countries.
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Nowadays, not only is cinnamon used in cooking, but many people take cinnamon and drink cinnamon tea to help stimulate digestion, decrease cholestrol, and improve cognitive skills.
