Interesting facts about saffron
Where does saffron come from? Saffron is a spice that is obtained from the dried stigmas of saffron flowers. At all times, this spice was considered one of the most expensive in the world. And the high cost is determined by huge labor costs. In order to collect one kilogram of saffron spice, it is necessary to gather the stigmas of 200,000 flowers. All the work is done by hand, and there is very little time for gathering - about three weeks. About 90 percent of all saffron is harvested in one country - Iran.
The first documentary evidence of this unique saffron flower was found in Mesopotamia as early as three thousand years BC. At that time, it was actively used not only in cooking, but also used for dyeing fabrics. Later, saffron was mentioned in the writings of Homer and Hippocrates. It is assumed that the word "saffron" itself comes from the Arabic "azafran", which is translated as "yellow".
With such a high cost of saffron, there were always scammers who were engaged in its falsification. But the punishments were appropriate. For example, in Iran during the Middle Ages, criminals had their hands cut off. In the German city of Nuremberg, since the 14th century, there was a position of an expert who checked imported saffron for authenticity.
Most often, scammers add turmeric to saffron, a cheaper spice that is very similar in color to saffron. But, connoisseurs can easily distinguish a fake. Turmeric has a yellowish tinge, while saffron is brown with a reddish tint. And it is also recommended to buy saffron not in the form of powder, but whole stigmas, which are difficult to confuse with any other spice.
In Europe, saffron appeared in the era of the Crusades. Since the 16th century, it has been cultivated in botanical gardens.
Despite the fact that Iran is the world leader in the production of saffron, gourmets say that the best saffron grows in the state of Cashmere (India). It is also the most expensive because of the complexity of production: first, the stigmas of saffron are dried and then immersed in water. Only those stigmas that have sunk are considered suitable for further processing. They make spices of the highest quality.
How much does saffron cost? Saffron is, of course, very expensive - several thousand dollars per kilogram. But it should also be consumed in moderation. It is believed that 1 gram of this spice is the annual norm for a person. An overdose can be very hazardous to your health. There have even been cases of severe poisoning with a fatal outcome. It is also not recommended to use expired saffron. It is recommended to store it in an airtight container at a temperature not exceeding 20 degrees in a dark place.
In 1374 there was even a "saffron war". The merchants were carrying a large consignment of saffron from Lebanon to Switzerland, and Baron Bechburg attacked them. The insidious baron with his army took away the expensive spice and took refuge in the castle. Outraged merchants besieged him for 14 weeks, demanding the return of their goods. In the end, they managed to get the saffron back.
Saffron is considered a spice that can give a person health for many years. There is a known case when a person lived in England for 150 years, and the basis of his diet was bread, butter and saffron. And the ancient Roman writer Pliny the Elder argued that a person does not die as long as saffron grows on his land. And modern research has shown that regular use of saffron will help avoid vision problems even in adulthood.
