by Marq Blanks, Food Tour Guide

Most people don’t realize that the cinnamon in their breakfast pastry is actually from the bark of a species of evergreen tree. Another little known fact is that this spice dates back to antiquity, mentioned in old Egyptian scrolls and Old Testament text. It was once so prized that it was often used as a gift for royalty. Most people probably don’t equate the aromatic sticks tied onto their holiday wreaths as the regal gifts of kings.

Of the common herbs and spices, cinnamon is the only regal offering that has been used for so many reasons, such as:

· a burial spice

· a perfume

· an aromatic as incense

· as a culinary flavoring

· as a medicinal remedy

This pungent and heated taste and scent is cherished in both culinary delights and perfume essences. Cinnamon sticks are bark from the tree that has been pounded, macerated in sea water and left to dry and age. It is sold in sticks, powdered and as oil. Portuguese traders brought the spice back with them from Ceylon. The Dutch East India Company is responsible for cinnamon cultivation and expanding its export all over the world. Currently, Sri Lanka is the world’s leading cinnamon producer, providing over 90% over the cinnamon sticks sold around the world.

Cinnamon versus cassia

Ceylon cinnamon is often confused with cassia, which is darker, denser and woodier in texture than true Ceylon cinnamon. Additionally, cassia contains a substance, coumarin, which is moderately toxic and dangerous if consumed in quantity. True Ceylon cinnamon sticks, due to their much lower concentration of essential oils, contain legible amounts of this toxic substance. Therefore deemed safer for repeated ingestion, there has never been a health advisory issued on Ceylon cinnamon.

Mexico is the leading importer of cinnamon in the world today. Commonly used in Mexico and the United States as a dessert spice, it is used to flavor lamb and poultry dishes in the Middle East. Many stew dishes and Persian culinary specialties require cinnamon for the pungent bite. Cinnamon sticks are also used in many pickling spice combinations, again to add a layer of pungency to the solution. Often added to both hot and cold beverages, cinnamon sticks add a spark to coffees, teas and hot chocolate.

Medicinal cinnamon

Due to its antimicrobial properties, cinnamon has often been sought after as a medicinal remedy for colds and to aid in digestion. Several studies have found a positive effect of cinnamon in treating type II diabetes and insulin resistance. For many years, cinnamon has been added to mouthwashes and breath mints to stave off oral odor. It has also been used as a poultice for minimizing toothache pain. The scent of cinnamon is a common additive in olfactory therapeutics such as candles, incense and aromatherapy oils.

Records dating back to 2000BC depict cinnamon as being prized for its aroma and pungent flavor. The regality of cinnamon as a gift of kings continues on in its continual use for adorning Christmas packages, gifts, wreaths and trees. The scent of cinnamon is pungent, heady and often alluring. It continues to be one of the most popular spices used by many cultures in many ways.

Continue on your journey through the world of common herbs and spices by joining us on one of our guided walking food tours or by visiting www.culinary-escapes.com to explore more culinary wonders.

 

Culinary Escapes Staff

Culinary Escapes, LLC - Unique Food Tours of Metro Detroit

www.culinary-escapes.com