The Danish "Cinnamon Tradition"

Very often, when you’re walking down the streets of Aarhus, you’ll breathe in and detect the sweet smell of cinnamon in the air. While you might think you’re catching a whiff of kanelsnegle baking in one of the local cafés, the truth is actually far more sinister:

An unmarried Dane turned 25. 

Evidence of a cinnamon attack.

You'll know another victim of this Danish “Cinnamon Tradition” has been claimed whenever you come across a pile of cinnamon on the road, usually gathered around the base of a pole or tree. It's evidence that someone nearby has been given a "cinnamon shower." Sometimes, you’ll see bits of egg—or even beer—mixed in as well.

A cinnamon attack that took place right outside my university dorm.

If you happen to find yourself unwed and celebrating your 25th birthday in Denmark, be aware that your Danish friends will probably drag you into the streets, tie you to a pole, strip you down, and cover you with as much cinnamon as a group of students can afford (which is a lot, actually). This event is known as the Danish “Cinnamon Tradition,” or the “Cinnamon Ritual,” or simply kaneldag (cinnamon-day). It doesn’t matter if you’re a man or a woman—every single person is a target. 

All jokes aside, this is one of my favourite Danish traditions. Unique to Denmark, this ritual seemingly dates back hundreds of years. It’s a bit unclear how it started. Some sources say that it originated with 16th-century spice salesmen who never settled down to marry given their frequent travels. Denmark played a small role in the global spice trade, especially in Copenhagen, where they frequently traded spices like pepper and cinnamon. The men who travelled often to sell these spices were almost always single and became known as pebersvend or "pepper bachelors."

Why they picked the age of 25 as the milestone to be cinnamon-ed, I don’t know. If anyone out there is reading this and they know the answer, please tell me.

One of my friends getting cinnamon-ed on his 25th birthday.

That being said, no one in Denmark really cares when or if you get married. In fact, I’d say it’s pretty uncommon to find someone married before the age of 25. The “Cinnamon Tradition” is just another reason to get drunk and have fun with your friends on your birthday.  

Of course, safety precautions are taken during the “cinnamon-ing.” The victim wears safety goggles and a mask to prevent any long-term damage (other than loss of dignity, perhaps). And since cinnamon is quite flammable, the fire department should always be on speed dial. 

Even though no one is really getting married in their early twenties anymore, the tradition continues to thrive. In recent years, Danes have upgraded from simple cinnamon as the weapon of their attack. More often now, the victim is sprayed with cold water (or sometimes beer) beforehand in order for the cinnamon to stick better. Eggs can also be added to the mix, which I’m told turns the cinnamon into a thick paste nearly impossible to rinse from your hair. It also leaves a huge mess in the road, but honestly, that’s part of the fun. It always brings me joy during my walks to school when I come across a pile of cinnamon (it smells really nice, too). Eventually, Denmark's ever-lasting rain washes it away.

A "cinnamon-ing" that took place in the wet, winter streets of Aarhus.

If you're wondering, this isn't just a summer tradition—it happens all year round, rain, shine, or snow. And the tradition doesn’t stop on your 25th birthday, either. Apparently, when you turn 30, if you’re still unwed, the cinnamon is replaced with black pepper, which calls back to the old "pepper bachelor" saying. I have yet to see it, but I’ll let you know when I do. 

I love this tradition so much because I think it’s quite symbolic of Danish humour and the janteloven they have, which states that no one is better than anyone else. While this "Law of Jante" may have started as a joke in the Scandinavian countries, I do think it has an element of truth to it. It captures Denmark’s profound humility and egalitarian ideals, which many other countries do not have. 

So if you’re ever in Denmark and you come across a large group of people tying a half-naked Dane to a pole and drowning them in cinnamon, don’t call the police. It’s normal here.

Some sources I used:

Dodgson, Lindsay. “Why Singles in Denmark Get Covered in Cinnamon.” The Independent, Independent Digital News and Media, 16 Feb. 2018, www.independent.co.uk/life-style/single-people-25-spices-cinnamon-denmark-love-romance-relationships-a8213901.html. Accessed 03 Feb. 2026. 

Norman, Rebecca Thandi. “What Is Janteloven?” Scandinavia Standard, 27 Feb. 2024, www.scandinaviastandard.com/what-is-janteloven-the-law-of-jante/. Accessed 03 Feb. 2026. 

Qureshi, Michael. “Do You Know This Tradition?: Aalborg Has Gotten Its First Pole for Cinnamon.” MyAalborg, myaalborg.com/do-you-know-this-danish-cinnamon-tradition/. Accessed 03 Feb. 2026.