Does cinnamon grow in Israel?
What country does cinnamon grow in? If I'm not mistaken, it seems like Israel has got one of the oldest cinnamon trees. Do they usually grow in Israel?
Comments (3)
Zuzana Vaľovská
July 24, 2026 at 01:55 AM
Seems like once was a time when cinnamon trees could grow in Israel, but not in the present. However, cinnamon is connected with the Bible, with Temple, and for me personally, with Jerusalem. When I smell cinnamon, it is like as I am walking and shopping again on the streets of the Old City. I deeply miss these places and the smell of cinnamon makes me feel like being there again.
Rylan Silva
July 24, 2026 at 01:55 AM
Cinnamon is native to East India, Sri Lanka, but today it also grows in South America and the West Indies. Archaeological findings in Israel show that cinnamon was in the Holy Land about 3,000 years ago when there may have been a spice trade between North Africa, the Levant and the Far East, beyond the known world. Cinnamon is mentioned in Exodus 30-23 as one of the oils used for anointing utensils in the Temple. Jewish sages, Rashi and Rashba both mention cinnamon trees growing in the Holy Land, so the trees many have grown here thousands of years ago, but it is not grown in Israel today.
Leave a Comment
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked with *
the artza box
Bring the Holy Land home. Handcrafted pieces from Israel, delivered to your door four times a year.
Carmen Slabbert
July 24, 2026 at 01:55 AM
Cinnamon is an aromatic spice used in the Bible as incense, spice, and medicine. Cinnamon is originally from Sri Lanka. Cinnamon never grew in Israel but was used to trade with. They found flasks with traces of cinnamon in Tel Dor which indicates that it was a commodity in earlier years.