How Ceylon Cinnamon Shaped Global Trade Routes

The Spice That Changed the World

For over 4,000 years, Ceylon cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum), also known as “true cinnamon,” has played a transformative role in the history of global trade. More than a fragrant spice, it was a symbol of luxury, power, and political dominance. Born in the lush forests of Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon), cinnamon’s journey across continents shaped empires, fueled exploration, and created the foundations of modern trade networks.

This is the story of how a single bark stirred the world - and changed it.

I. Cinnamon and the Silk Road: Trade, Secrecy & Myth (2000 BCE – 1500 CE)

Cinnamon’s Secret Journey

As early as 2000 BCE, Ceylon cinnamon was being traded across Asia and the Middle East. Arab traders were instrumental in transporting cinnamon from Sri Lanka to Persia, Egypt, and the Mediterranean through both maritime and overland Silk Road routes. The spice reached wealthy civilizations like ancient Egypt, Rome, and China, where it was valued for its aromatic, medicinal, and spiritual properties.

The Cinnamon Bird Myth

To protect their monopoly, Arab merchants crafted elaborate myths about the spice’s origin. One of the most famous tales - recounted by Herodotus - claimed that cinnamon was collected from giant bird nests perched on cliffs, retrieved only by tricking the birds with heavy ox carcasses. This fantastical story helped obscure the true source of cinnamon: Sri Lanka, allowing Arab traders to dominate the market for centuries.

“The Arabs guarded the secret of cinnamon’s origin like a state treasure.” - Historian Paul Freedman

Port Hubs and Cultural Exchange

Sri Lankan ports became vital centers of commerce and cultural fusion, where cinnamon was exchanged along with ideas, technologies, and religious practices. These coastal hubs played a major role in connecting the East with the Mediterranean world, building the foundation for future global trade.

II. The European Spice Wars: Conquest, Monopoly & Exploitation (1500–1800)

Portuguese Invasion: The First Monopoly

The Portuguese arrived in Ceylon in 1505, seizing cinnamon-growing regions and enslaving local peelers. They imposed a “cinnamon tax” on villages and fortified trading ports like Colombo to secure their new-found spice empire. Cinnamon quickly became a state-controlled commodity, extracted through force and traded at enormous profit in European markets.

Dutch Domination: The Corporate Empire

In the mid-1600s, the Dutch East India Company (VOC) ousted the Portuguese and established a powerful corporate monopoly over Ceylon’s cinnamon. Their methods were as ruthless as they were effective:

• Villagers were forced to meet strict quotas or face harsh punishment.

• Surplus cinnamon was burned in Amsterdam to inflate prices and prevent market collapse.

• The VOC’s cinnamon monopoly became one of Europe’s most lucrative colonial ventures in the 17th and 18th centuries.

British Takeover: From Exclusivity to Expansion

The British captured Ceylon from the Dutch in 1796, continuing the cinnamon monopoly but shifting the focus toward mass plantation cultivation. With the rise of industrialization, the British expanded road networks, ports, and trade policies to export cinnamon to a broader global market, transforming it into a common household spice while maintaining Sri Lanka’s leading role.

III. Ceylon’s Enduring Monopoly and Legacy

A Global Hub for True Cinnamon

For centuries, Sri Lanka was virtually the only source of true cinnamon, granting it a powerful position in international trade. Cinnamon was more valuable than gold or silver in some periods, and its tightly controlled distribution made it one of the most sought-after commodities in human history.

Infrastructure and Influence

Colonial rulers - from Portuguese to Dutch to British - left an indelible mark on Sri Lanka, investing in infrastructure specifically to streamline the cinnamon trade. Roads, ports, and plantations transformed the island's landscape and economy, integrating it tightly with the global market.

Cultural and Diplomatic Significance

Beyond trade, cinnamon held diplomatic and ceremonial value. It was presented as tribute between kings and empires, featured in religious rituals, and served as a luxury token of goodwill. For Sri Lankan royalty and colonial rulers alike, cinnamon was not only a commodity but a tool of prestige and soft power.

The Bark That Built Empires

Ceylon cinnamon’s influence extended far beyond the kitchen - it helped build trade routes, inspired exploration, sparked colonial conquest, and linked East and West in a global web of commerce. While the monopoly eventually waned due to market expansion and competition, Sri Lanka remains the heart of true cinnamon production, supplying over 90% of the world’s demand today.

More than a spice, Ceylon cinnamon is Sri Lanka’s fragrant legacy - a golden thread that runs through the fabric of global history, diplomacy, and culture.