Ishpingo: The cinnamon flower.
Ecuador is known as The country of the Cinnamon. From its capital Quito, in the year 1542 set off an expedition to the eastern jungles of the continent. This expedition was led by Gonzalo Pizarro (brother of the conqueror of Peru) and Francisco de Orellana, in search of the mythical Dorado and in search of cinnamon, a very popular spice in the world market of that time. Finding cinnamon in America was a strategic issue for Spaniards.
After months of sailing on the Amazon River (discovered in this same expedition) and after passing serious hardships, they did not find El Dorado, nor cinnamon, at least not as they had known it until then *(Cinnamomum verum) *. They found, on the other hand, the Ishpingo (Ocotea quixos) , a clumsy imitation of flower with wood texture and hat shape, with an aroma much like the native spice of Sri Lanka, but more fruity and enduring.
This flower of Ishpingo turned out to be quite wild, has not been domesticated and to get it you have to enter the Ecuadorian or Peruvian Amazon ... or take a walk in the popular markets of Quito, where we will find it next to interesting products that the indigenous they bring from the forest and the mountain range.
The Ishpingo is a sweet spice used in various preparations of the traditional Andean and Amazonian gastronomy. It is one of the indispensable ingredients in the "Colada Morada" (Porridge of purple corn), this is a drink of purple corn and fruits which is being prepared in Ecuador as part of the Day of the Dead celebrations (November 2).
Nowadays Ishpingo is not only used in drinks and sweets, it has also ventured into the salty gastronomy, giving the dishes a special touch inside the fusion cuisine. Unlike cinnamon, the aromas of Ishpingo are not lost with boiling because their essential oils are less volatile, that's why cooks recommend let it boil for 10 to 15 minutes to bring out the greater amount and diversity of aromas offered .
To a spice so appreciated and loaded with history could not miss its own musical theme: * The flower of cinnamon *, one of the Latin American songs more known on the planet. It was composed by singer-songwriter and Peruvian researcher Chabuca Granda in 1950, dedicated to Mrs. Victoria Angulo, beautiful brunette lady who was the singer's neighbor. As I like music so much and I like the stories so much, I share this video that is a jewel, to the voice of Chabuca itself accompanied by Peruvian drawer and spoons.
I hope you have enjoyed it and remember that cooking is a way to travel ...