Cinnamon – Gift for a god from Zanzibar to Europe
Zanzibar is an island located near the mainland coast of Tanzania in East Africa. It’s a beautiful place known for its beaches, unique culture, abundant wildlife, and famous spices like cinnamon. In this article, we’ll explore the use of cinnamon in Zanzibar, throughout Europe, and in everyday cooking, as well as some fun facts to spice up your knowledge. Enjoy!
Get to Know Cinnamon
Cinnamon is a delightful spice derived from the inner bark of several tree species from the genus Cinnamomum. This warm and sweet spice is native to Sri Lanka and also cultivated in Zanzibar. Its brown color and delicate scent make it a popular choice for flavouring a wide range of dishes, from sweet and savoury meals to breakfast cereals, teas, hot chocolate, and traditional foods. Thanks to its essential oil, cinnamon boasts a unique and memorable taste.
Cinnamon: Gift to a god from Zanzibar to Europe
Cinnamon in Zanzibar
Origin: Cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum) is a spice obtained from the inner bark of several tree species from the genus Cinnamomum. These trees are native to the Spice Island of Zanzibar.
Economic Impact: In Zanzibar, cinnamon plays a significant role in the economy. It is one of the major cash crops, contributing significantly to foreign exchange earnings.
Production: Zanzibar produced over 2,000 tons of cinnamon in 2023, fetching more than $15 million. These aromatic barks are harvested when the tree is about two years old, then sun-dried for sale.
Value-Addition: Cinnamon, along with seaweed, provides a key export to Tanzania.
Some Zanzibar recipes that use cinnamon are:
- Zanzibar cinnamon chicken: Cinnamon chicken is a chicken dish that is marinated and cooked with cinnamon and other spices, such as garlic, ginger, onion, and chili. Zanzibar cinnamon chicken is a version that uses Zanzibar cinnamon, which has a more pungent and smoky flavor than regular cinnamon. Zanzibar cinnamon chicken is also marinated and cooked with coconut milk, tomato paste, and lemon juice, to create a creamy and tangy sauce. Zanzibar cinnamon chicken is a spicy and succulent dish that can be served with rice, bread, or salad.
Zanzibar cinnamon tea: Cinnamon tea is a hot drink that is made with cinnamon and water, and sometimes sweetened with honey or sugar. Zanzibar cinnamon tea uses Zanzibar cinnamon, which has a more intense and fragrant flavor than regular cinnamon. Zanzibar cinnamon tea is also often infused with cardamom, and ginger, and sweetened with honey or brown sugar. Zanzibar cinnamon tea is a warming and soothing drink. Zanzibaris drink it to help ease sore throats or stomach complaints.
🌶️Spicy Fact: Did you know that cinnamon was once more valuable than gold in the ancient world? So much so that it was considered a gift fit for monarchs and even gods 2.
~ Blue Spices Zanzibar
Cinnamon in Europe
Flavor: Cinnamon possesses a sweet, woody fragrance in both its stick and ground form. It’s warming to taste, but sweeter than you would expect.
Pairings: Cinnamon pairs well with other spices such as cloves, nutmeg, cardamom, and ginger. It’s also a great match for apples, oats, and Middle Eastern dishes.
- Europe Facts: In medieval Europe it was used for religious rites and as a flavouring. Later it was the most profitable spice in the Dutch East India Company trade. Cinnamon is 1 of the most used spices in Europe. The largest segments in the food industry use cinnamon. For example, in meat products (the largest segment of the European food industry, at 20% of the total turnover) cinnamon is used in spice mixes. In bakery and farineceous products, cinnamon is widely used in baked desserts, biscuits and cakes, among several other products. It is also extensively used in drinks like herbal infusions/teas and mulled wine, as well as in dairy products. Those segments make up more than half of the total food industry.
Global Influence: While used in recipes across Europe and other continents, it also finds particular prominence in Middle Eastern, Indian, and North American cooking.
Moderation: Remember to use cinnamon sparingly; its distinct flavor can easily overpower a dish with sweetness.
Interesting facts from Germany
Import Volume: Germany is the second-largest importer of cinnamon in Europe behind the Dutch. Germany imports account for around 18% of total European imports.
- Value: In 2021, imports totalled €23 million or 5,259 tonnes. A high share of these imports is sourced directly from developing countries, reaching 87% in 2021. Germany imports whole cinnamon, with the highest volume reaching 900 tons in 2023.
Re-Export: Approximately 25% of the imported cinnamon is re-exported to other countries3.
🌶️ Cinnamon may actually be one of the oldest spices in the world. In the Bible, it is mentioned when Moses anointed the Ark of the Covenant with it. (Exodus 30:23, Proverbs 7:17) 2.
~ Blue Spices Zanzibar
In Summary
In summary, from the sun-drenched shores of Zanzibar to the spice-laden kitchens of Europe, cinnamon continues to be the ‘gift that keeps on giving’ for its supreme popularity in baking, breakfasts and treats, enriching both cultures and economies.