National Cinnamon Day

National Cinnamon Day celebrates one of the world’s oldest and most beloved spices. Originally, cinnamon was used not in cooking, but in traditional Chinese medicine for treating lung diseases. With a history dating back more than 4,000 years, this spice truly deserves its own holiday.

History

National Cinnamon Day was first celebrated in 2019, thanks to an initiative by McCormick. The goal is to evoke childhood memories, share warmth and comfort, and highlight the many health benefits and rich flavors that cinnamon brings to every dish.

Cinnamon is harvested from the inner bark of certain trees in the laurel family. It’s commonly sold as sticks, which can be ground into powder or used whole to flavor drinks. There are many myths and legends about cinnamon’s origins, and its exact discovery remains a mystery.

Interesting Facts

• Indonesia and China are the largest producers of cinnamon, together supplying around 70% of the world’s cinnamon.
• In the past, cinnamon was so expensive that only the wealthy could afford it.
• Spice merchants kept the sources of cinnamon a closely guarded secret to maintain their monopoly.
• According to legend, cinnamon birds built their nests from cinnamon sticks, though no one knew where they found them.
• In the Roman Empire, cinnamon was used as payment—one pound of cinnamon could pay for 50 months of labor.
• Cinnamon’s strong aroma made it popular for use in cremations; Emperor Nero famously burned a large quantity at his wife’s funeral.

How to Take Part

To celebrate National Cinnamon Day, cook or bake something with cinnamon, try new ways to use the spice in food or even skincare, stock up on cinnamon at your local store, or host a tea party with cinnamon treats.

When is National Cinnamon Day in 2025?

National Cinnamon Day is observed on November 1 each year.

Observations