Page 6 - Landscape SA 101

FEATURE

Saffron’s blue/purple flowers with stigmas, known as threads, from which the spice is derived.

SUPER SPICE SAFFRON

Saffron is a spice derived from the flower of Crocus sativus, commonly known as the saffron
crocus. Its vivid crimson stigma and styles, called threads, are collected and dried for use
mainly as a seasoning and colouring agent in food. The deeper the colour of the threads,
the better the quality, and deep red with orange tips is considered best. In South Africa,
saffron is sometimes referred to as ‘red gold’.

he threads are fine and evenly sized, Today the spice is grown in Iran, Spain, taste results from the chemicals it contains,
with a thin yellow tendril on one end. Morocco, Turkey, Afghanistan, certain namely safranal and picrocrocin.
TThe highest quality saffron threads states of India and now South Africa. Iran is
have a minimal yellow stem and the the largest producer, accounting for about Saffron is known to be the world’s most
highest amount of crocin, one of saffron’s 90% of the world market. expensive spice by weight, due to the fact
key essential oils. that it is an extremely labour-intensive
In addition to culinary uses, saffron is crop. Each flower produces only three
The plant is propagated from a small, used in the production of cosmetics, stigmas and blooms for only one week
rounded corm, similar to a bulb or rounded pharmaceuticals and textile dye industries. each year. The flowers need to be harvested
tuber, that gives rise to three flowers which It contains a carotenoid dye called crocin, by hand in mid-morning when they are
are blue/purple in colour. which gives a rich golden-yellow colour to still closed, in order to protect the delicate
food and textiles. stigmas inside. In addition, harvesting
Saffron’s homeland is considered to be requires much physical labour to get the
Southwest Asia and although it is difficult The taste of saffron has been variously flowers from the field to final packaging.
to pinpoint exactly where its cultivation described as subtle, grassy, earthy and Approximately 1000 flowers are required to
originated, this is believed to be Greece. hay-like in fragrance. Its sometimes bitter produce just one ounce of saffron.

4 Landscape SA • Issue 101 2021