The Origin, History and Trade Route of Cinnamon

Member of Department of History of Science, Encyclopedia Islamica Foundation Cinnamon plant, especially its peel, is one of the considerable spices for its using as drug, spice and freshener from ancient times. Distribution of different kinds of 50/Tarikh-e Elm, 9(2011) cinnamon is in some regions of eastern and southern Asia and it has been traded to other countries. But because of the importance and high price of this spice, its history has been mixed with tales and superstitions. This article attempt is made to identify the true origin, history and trade routes of this important spice, and also its main merchants by using documentary study and analysis of information in historical references and modern botany books. For this purpose, probable, but bordering on certainty, trade routes of cinnamon have been studied. Also, the different origins been noticed in historic books, have been divided in four groups: China, Ceylon, India, and Arabia peninsula and Ethiopia. Then the correct origin of cinnamon will be determined.