SAFFRON PLANT: Cultivation and Recollection

                The saffron is a spice obtained from Crocus sativus Linnaeus flower’s stigmas (from Iridaceae family), popularly recognized as Rose of Saffron. Each flower of Crocus sativus Linnaeus has three stigmas of saffron, also called threads.

                The cultivation of saffron need an extremely climate: high and dry in summer and dry cold in winter. The origin of the saffron rose is a small bulb planted at the beginning of September. Normally, at the end of the year it doesn’t give any flower. The reproduction depends on human assistance: at least they need two or three years for the haverst-time. This procedure (carried out in springtime) is very delicate, opening furrows under the level where the bulbs are, this way is easiest to collect them one by one. Then, at home, the new  and the best bulbs are carefully selected, cleaned and kept in dry places, waiting for be planted again in September, so the cycle starts again.

                        

               In the other hand, the recollected stigmas are dehydrated to be able to commercialize it: but for dehydrated, is necessary to use some special equipment called “ciazos” (made by wood frames and a fabric similar to a stocking). The stigmas are extended on the “ciazos” and they are placed 20 centimeters away from the embers: after few minutes, the saffron (which has already lost 80% of it weight) will be ready to be consumed or stored.