Saffron Plant: An Overview
Saffron is a bulbous plant that belongs to the Iridaceae family. The most important part of the saffron flower is the red stigmas, which are carefully removed from the fully bloomed flower. Farmers dry these stigmas in a shaded or ventilated place on a large, flat plate over a gentle heat. These red-orange stigmas have an intense fragrance and a delightful taste. Saffron is stored in tightly sealed containers, as it is a highly valuable and precious substance that requires careful preservation.
Harvesting Saffron Stigmas
The red stigmas are meticulously extracted from the flower by skilled hands, ensuring precision and care. Growing saffron is an expensive agricultural process, and its price is correspondingly high. For instance, producing 250 grams of saffron requires cultivating approximately 350,000 flowers, which are then harvested, processed, and dried. Once dried, the weight of saffron significantly decreases compared to its weight when freshly collected.
Leading Producers
Iran is one of the largest producers of saffron, particularly the high-quality variety.
Anatomy of the Saffron Flower
When a saffron bulb is planted, it produces eight leaves. Each flower typically has three sepals and three petals, which are initially pinkish in color. Inside the flower are yellow filaments and three red stigmas, which are longer than the filaments. The strong aroma of these stigmas makes saffron flowers truly exceptional.
Saffron is used to color and flavor various foods, including rice, cheese, and butter. It is also used in alcoholic beverages and desserts such as ice cream.
How to Plant Saffron
- Choosing the Right Location
Select a sunny area with consistent exposure to sunlight. Before planting, enrich the soil with fertilizers, preferably organic ones. - Planting the Bulbs
- Plant the bulbs close to one another, maintaining an 11 cm distance between each bulb.
- For household needs, planting 20–25 bulbs is sufficient.
- The bulbs should be planted at a depth of 10 cm in the soil.
- Saffron bulbs multiply yearly, producing fresh flowers each season.
Note: If issues such as field mice or moles arise, it is advisable to plant the bulbs in outdoor containers instead of garden soil.
- Timing and Flowering
- Saffron is planted at the end of summer.
- The flowers bloom in early autumn, lasting about three and a half weeks.
- The leaves emerge shortly after and remain for eight weeks before disappearing. The bulb remains in the soil, growing again in the next autumn. It is essential to remember where the bulbs are planted to avoid removing them unintentionally.
Harvesting and Using Saffron
The best time to harvest saffron stigmas is in the morning when the sun is shining, and the flowers are fully bloomed. The stigmas should be carefully removed and placed in a completely dry location. Once dried, saffron can be used in cooking to add a unique and delicious flavor to dishes.
