An article in “The Telegraph” explains why the streets of Denmark are often covered in cinnamon - and it is part of a long-standing tradition.
When you turn 25 and still unmarried, it is customary in Denmark for your friends and family to cover you in said spice.
They don't go easy on you, either, covering people from head to toe and splashing them with water so the cinnamon sticks better. If they're feeling super mean, Danes sometimes add eggs to the mix because it “helps with adhesion.”
A Danish man explained to “The Telegraph” that the tradition may date back hundreds of years to when spice salesmen would travel around and remain bachelors because they were never in one place long enough to settle down with someone.
“Many of these salesmen would never find a partner, and would then be referred to as Pebersvends, which means “Pepper Dudes.” A single woman is thus called a “Pebermø,” or “pepper maiden”.”
This makes sense on your 30th birthday, where the cinnamon gets upgraded to pepper.
However, the action does not mean that those who turn 25 and are still unmarried are being judged, but the tradition is just an excuse to play a prank and be silly with your friends when they reach milestone ages.
The average age of men getting married in Denmark is 34 and a half, and for women it's 32.