Saffron - the Royal spice

Saffron is rightfully called the "King of Spice" .

The number of hours spent plucking the saffron flowers and then the stigmas is just mind blowing. Something like 50,000 flowers, a football field-sized patch, must be grown to produce just 1 lb of saffron. Saffron is very royal and majestic.

Saffron is the stigma of crocus flower. Harvest season lasts for 2 weeks and the flowers are picked each morning. The 3 stigmas in each blossom are hand-picked. After plucking, the stigmas are light roasted which dries the stigmas and fixes the flavor in the threads. This delicate stage of roasting is done only by the most expert of farmers. Even as little as a minute too long on the fire and the whole batch would be ruined.

Saffron is one of the main ingredients in many Ayurvedic medicines. Saffron has circulatory stimulant properties, is warming and very rejuvenating. It is also known to tonify the female reproductive system. The cosmetics industry uses saffron in lotions and creams for its ability to nourish and lighten the skin.

Finally, did you know that it is not difficult to grow your own saffron??!! Here in US, you will find many online nurseries that sell saffron corms. Some gardeners even grow them in containers.

I think I am going to try this.

My small attempt to get a piece of Kashmir in my own back yard