#Saffron Zaafaran, Azafrán, केसर, ज़ाफ़रान.Aromatics for Food and Music

#Saffron Zaafaran, Azafrán, Aromatics for Food and Music 

Saffron is rather unique among spices in that its main aroma and color components are water-soluble;
therefore, the stigmata may be soaked overnight in water, filtered and the water then added,.
Another method is preferred in Persia and India:
The spice is powdered and then extracted with a little milk; after half an hour, the milk has the deep colour of egg yolk and is added to cooking or sweets.

Saffron is native to the Mediterranean environment

Saffron is native to the Mediterranean environment, characterised by cool to cold winters, with autumn-winter spring rainfall, and warm dry summers with very little rainfall. It can withstand substantial frosts (-10oC), and can tolerate occasional snow in the winter.


Due to the fragile nature of the stigmas of the crocus that are 3 to 4 cm in length, the stigmas must be hand removed and also for the harvesting of the crocuses this is done by hand as well because a machine would decimate the delicate petals of the flower.

#London #restaurant recipe: lamb with #saffron sauce

City #restaurant Cinnamon Kitchen shares head chef Vivek Singh's recipe for lamb with saffron sauce.

History of Saffron What is Saffron?

Said to be “possibly the first spice ever used by man,” saffron has been identified as a distinct popularity since the dawn of culinary traditions. Its history spans throughout the world and into our kitchens, first known to be the herb of the sun and now used in a variety of ways inside the home and out. The name evolved from the Middle East, collaborating the words Saharan and za’faran to make saffron. These tiny ‘thread-like’ filaments are dried stigmas coming from flowering plant, the Crocus. Even before saffron livened up cuisine, it was known for its incredible dyeing ability. For a weaver in ancient times, it brought about brilliance to rugs, togas, saris, shawls, lace, and linen, silk. For the artist, the vividness of yellow was achieved. For medicinal purposes, it gave hope to some suffering from smallpox, kidney disease, insomnia, indigestion, and signified fear for others. Last but not least, for cooks, saffron allowed the brightness of the sun to be placed on a dining table. One of the few spices not to have originated in India or the tropics, saffron’s discovery is one of mystery. Although recorded history started after the cultivation of saffron, it is known that crocus plants are native to the Mediterranean and the Balkans. Thus, the early Persian civilizations spread this “wealth” with surrounding areas such as the Indus Valley and the western shores of the Mediterranean. In present day, saffron is growing in popularity in many countries throughout the world such as Iran. It is used in the most exquisite gourmet cuisine from the west to the Far East; it’s cultivated in temperate climates and delivered to a variety of different cultures. One of the most well known areas where saffron is grown is in Iran. This geographic center encompasses five provinces that have the ideal climate for saffron to thrive. It is undoubtedly true that Iran where the summers are unbearably hot and the winters are uncontrollably frigid. Iran is not only a great harvesting ground; moreover, the best quality saffron is produced there.

Exotic spice...#saffron

I bet you've never really given the #exotic spice #saffron much though...
Well it comes from a tiny crocus flower & here's a pic of harvest time in #Afghanistan
Photographer unknown

Almond Cake with a Saffron & Orange Syrup

Almond Cake with a Saffron & Orange Syrup

Almond Cake with a Saffron & Orange Syrup

Saffron: Can it Cure Cancer?

Saffron: Can it Cure Cancer?
Scientists Are Convinced of Its Potency
by Dr. Ralph Moss and Dr. Fikrat Abdullayev


Could saffron, cherished by civilizations, both ancient and modern, hold, as yet, untapped benefits in the treatment and prevention of cancer? Could it be that those delicate thin, hair-like stamens that produce a brilliant reddish-orange dye belonging to the flowers of a humble crocus family (Crocus sativus) really offer hope to cancer patients? A growing number of respected scientists are convinced of the possibility.