Saffron, Saffron Crocus
A temperate plant. They require sun and good drainage. It needs a pH of 7. It is best in a good sandy loam. It is resistant to frost and drought. It suits hardiness zones 6-8. In Yunnan.
Also known as:
Fan-hung-hua, Gon-ga-man, Jafran, Kesar, Kesara, Kesari, Keshar, Keshara, Koma-koma, Kong, Kungumapu, Kunkumakesari, Kunkumapuvu, Pravi žafran, Saffraan, Za'faran, Zafferano, Zaffran, Zafran
Synonyms
- Crocus officinalis (L.) Honck.
- Crocus orsinii Parl.
- Crocus pendulus Stokes
- Crocus sativus var. cashmirianus Royle
- Crocus sativus var. officinalis L.
- Crocus sativus var. orsinii (Parl.) Maw.
- Crocus sativus subsp. orsinii (Parl.) K. Richt.
- Crocus setifolius Stokes
- Geanthus autumnalis Raf.
- Safran officinarum Medik.
Edible Portion
- Root, Corm, Herb, Spice, Pollen, Leaves, Flowers
Where does Saffron grow?
Found in: Africa, Algeria, Asia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Brazil, Britain, Canada, Caucasus, China, Egypt, Europe, France, Germany, Greece, Himalayas, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Iran, Israel, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mediterranean, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, New Zealand, North Africa, North America, Pakistan, Palestine, SE Asia, Slovenia, South America, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tasmania, Turkey, West Africa
Notes: There are about 80 Crocus species. It is a sterile triploid plant. It is mentioned in the Bible. Song of Songs 4:14. It has anticancer properties.
Growing Saffron, Saffron Crocus
Cultivation: It is grown from vegetative parts. Being a triploid plant it is sterile. Plant 3-15 cm deep and 10 cm apart. It won't flower in areas with wet cloudy summers.
Edible Uses: CAUTION: It is important to dry the flowers well before using for flavouring. Saffron is poisonous. A safe dose should not exceed 1 g per day. The stigmas or parts of the flower that catch pollen are used as a spice. They are used to colour and flavour sauces, creams, biscuits, preserves, liqueurs, curries, rice dishes, and other foods. The roots are eaten roasted. The leaves are used as a flavouring.
Production: The flowers are picked and the threadlike stamens removed. The flowers are then dried before using. Over 5,000 stigmas (1,700 flowers) are needed to give 25 g of dried saffron. (Or 200,000 flowers for a kg of saffron)
Nutrition Info
per 100g edible portion| Edible Part | Energy (kcal) | Protein (g) | Iron (mg) | Vitamin A (ug) | Vitamin c (mg) | Zinc (mg) | % Water |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flowers - dried | 311 | 11.4 | 11.1 | 53 | 80.8 | 1.1 | 11.9 |
Saffron, Saffron Crocus Photos
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