What is saffron ?

Saffron is obtained thanks to the harvest of the pistils of Crocus Sativus Linnaeus, a flower of the family "Iridaceae". Its petals are mauve, and contain yellow cheesecloths, as well as three dark red pistils. One needs at least 150.000 flowers to obtain one kilo of saffron.

The term "saffron" can have various origins. Indeed, it can come from Persan "Safra", or Arabic "Za'faran" or from Latin "Safranum" which all indicate the colour yellow (saffron gives a yellow colour to fabrics and food).

Once upon a time... saffron

Origins of saffron are turbid. One does not know where it first grew at wild state, and who discovered it. Some think that it would have initially appeared in Close East. However it is known in the highest Antiquity. One finds representation of crocus gathering, on murals, dating from Minoan age at Knossos Palace (in Crete).

In Egypt, it wax used, in particular by Queen Cleopatra, as aromatic fragrance for ablutions during religious ceremonies. It was also used to dye togas in yellow.
Among Greeks of Antiquity, one appreciate its taste and colour. Only gods and heroes could wear cloths dyed with saffron. According to the legend, at the age of 3 years old, Artemis, goddess of hunting, would have said to her father Zeus : "I want an arc made of silver, a hunting suit dyed with saffron, with a red border, and 60 young nymphs to look after my horses".
It is later, in the Xth century, that Moors introduce saffron in Spain. Initially, in Europe, saffron was used as dye rather than spice.
It became one of the most important ingredient of the Spanish-Arabic cook. Also, the Crusade had an important part in the introduction of saffron in Europe. Saffron reaches Great Britain during the Middle Age. During the "Renaissance" Venice became the most important trade platform for saffron. Its value was such, that saffron is already copied.
Today, saffron keeps its title of "the most expensive spice in the world".

cueillettes des crocus ( "cueillettes des crocus", Palais de Knossos, Crête )

Ancestral properties of saffron

One gives aphrodisiac properties to saffron. The Greek poet Homere tells us that Zeus, god of the gods, had the idea to lie on a "saffron bed", in order to increase his sexual performances. The Greeks used also saffron against insomnia.
Romans, as for them, used it against effects of wine. They took bath with saffron to become sober.
Lastly, Arabs recognize anaesthetic and antispasmodic properties to saffron. In ancient India, it is a belief that a glass of milk mixed with a few stands of Saffron had before bed time gives a very good and sound sleep.

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