Part 1
Bringing cinnamon to Europe
Cinnamon is a sweet, fragrant spice produced from the inner bark of trees of the genus Cinnamomum, which is native to the Indian sub-continent. It was known in biblical times, and is mentioned in several books of the Bible, both as an ingredient that was mixed with oils for anointing people’s bodies, and also as a token indicating friendship among lovers and friends. In ancient Rome, mourners attending funerals burnt cinnamon to create a pleasant scent. Most often, however, the spice found its primary use as an additive to food and drink. In the Middle Ages, Europeans who could afford the spice used it to flavor food, particularly meat, and to impress those around them with their ability to purchase an expensive condiment from the ‘exotic’ East. At a banquet, a host would offer guests a plate with various spices piled upon it as a sign of the wealth at his or her disposal. Cinnamon was also reported to have health benefits, and was thought to cure various ailments, such as indigestion.
Question 1 - 5
Choose ONE WORD ONLY from the passage for each answer.
The Early History of Cinnamon
Biblical times: | added to 1……………………….. used to show 2…………………………. between people |
Ancient Rome: | used for its sweet smell at 3……………………….. |
Middle Ages: | added to food, especially meat was an indication of a person’s 4……………………….. known as a treatment for 5……………………….. and other health problems |