French Saffron (Safran)

Cultivation and use of Saffron spans over 3,500 years and across many cultures…  Saffron is a powerful dye, a culinary herb, and a medicinal plant.

They call me Mellow Yellow…quite rightly.

Click to get in the mood, the mellow yellow saffron mood…

A Few Facts about French Saffron…

• French Saffron Crocus is the Crocus sativus (Iridaceae) of Middle Eastern origin (Greece to Iran), likely descended from Crocus cartwrightianus of Crete.  All Saffron Crocus come from this same origin regardless of where grown.
• The look-alike Wild or Meadow Crocus (Colchicum autumnale) found in the hills of Provence is VERY toxic (just handling the flowers can lead to blurry vision – ingestion leads to death).
• There are Saffron producers all around France, with six located in Provence.
• Wild boars destroy Saffron crops in Provence as they dig and trample the fields. Hunters exasperate the situation by chasing their prey through the crocus fields and trampling everything!
• Crocus flowers are propagated by corms (or flattish bulbs). The parent bulbs die to give life to baby bulbs (sort of like potatoes).  Bulbs can survive cold winters and light snow.  Generous spring rains and dry summers encourage optimal harvests.  Flower season is reversed – bulbs are planted in August and bloom in October.

• Harvest last less than one month. Each bulb produces 1 to 7 flowers. Each flowers last only one day.  Flowers are handpicked, preferably after the moon rises or in the morning before flowers open.  For each crocus bloom there are 6 purple petals, 3 yellow stamens, and 1 red pistil cluster composed of 3 stigmas (red filaments).
• Bees that are attracted to the blooms often fall sleep due to the calming effects of Saffron.
• After saffron is handpicked, the pistils are separated from the flower, then dried losing about 80% of its fresh weight.  Pistils are pinched off by hand retaining only the top red (never yellow) portions.  It takes approximately 36,000 flowers to make 1lb of stigmas, 450 stigmas to make 1 gram. Each pistil contains 3 stigmas.  Once dried, Saffron is then aged several months before being ready for consumption.

“Cultiver du safran en France”

YouTube Video by Rustica l’hebdo jardin (in French)

Learn more about the fields o Provence in my previous post “The Saffron Fields of Provence“.

 Saffron History and Legend

Saffron was first cultivated in Southern France by the Romans.  After the decline of the Roman Empire, its use all but disappeared until the Moors brought it back again during the Black Death Era as a potential cure.  In fact, demand became so strong that Pirates would target Saffron import ships instead of those loaded with gold bars or coins.  The disappearance of a Saffron Ship even sparked a 14 week-long “Saffron War”.

Saffron has been used for a wide variety of purposes throughout the centuries

• Cleopatra infused saffron into her milk baths to help her relax, and to prepare her for the evening (it’s also an aphrodisiac).
• Greeks used it as a perfume (try “Byredo’s Black Saffron Eau De Parfum” for a unisex modern version), and as a deodorizer by scattering it about homes and public places.
• Alexander the Great used it to heal wounds in battle.
• In Egypt, Saffron was used to dye the garments of high priestesses, in shades from pale yellow to deep orange-red.  It also colors the robes of Hindu and Buddhist monks.
• French mothers of the past used it mixed honey to treat their babies teething.

Today, the largest consumer of Saffron are in the harems where men use it to calm their multiple wives, and boost their sex drive so they can keep up with those wives!

The Legend of Crocus and Smilax 

A handsome young man named “Crocus” once fell madly in love with the nymph “Smilax”.  She wasn’t interested and had better things to do, so quickly bored with his flattery and advances.  To take care of the problem, she turned the young man into a flower (better than a toad don’t you think?).  The bright red stigmas glow with his unrequited love.  She, on the other hand, was simultaneously turned into a Greenbriar Sarsparilla vine. That will teach her!

How to buy Saffron

Poor quality Saffron – notice the yellow filaments

Saffron has been adulterated with other compounds since the day it began to be traded.  Even way back in the middle ages violators were executed under the “Safranschou Law” for dyeing, coating, or otherwise falsifying Saffron (apparently one cheater was even roasted over a fire made with his own flavorless fake saffron).

A few tips…

• Never ever buy powdered Saffron, it is always fake.
• Saffron should always be presented as whole red filaments in an air tight container.
• If you see yellow in the Saffron, it indicates the less aromatic part of the plant was harvested along with the rest of the stigma diluting the flavor making it a Saffron of poorer quality.
• Buy only straight from the grower, it’s the only way to certify you are getting the real deal. Don’t buy from your local grocery market, buy online from a grower if you cannot buy locally.
• To check the quality of the Saffron you have at home, rub a filament between wet fingers. If your fingers don’t immediately turn yellow, throw it away.  If your fingers turn red, it’s not even Saffron.  Saffron can be kept in an airtight container out of direct sunlight for up to two years.

Want to try Saffron but not sure how?

Keep in mind, Saffron must be re-hydrated at least 24 hours (and up to 48 hrs) to fully release its aromas.  It can be re-hydrated in anything but an oil or butter. Remember – Saffron is delicate and the aromas are volatile.  Avoid too much heat, and do not boil or fry Saffron.

Culinary Uses

To use in recipes, count 6 red filaments per person. 

Savory dishes with Saffron –

Such as the French classic Bouillabaisse.  If your Ratatouille vegetables are not at their peak, add a few strands of Saffron and a sugar cube. Try it in Mussels in a Cream Sauce with Saffron, Couscous, Paella, or added to Rice.  Add it to your favorite vegetarian stew for an interesting twist, Roasted Saffron Cauliflower, or add a pinch to rice pilaf with asparagus.

Sweets with Saffron –

Delicious in Saffron butter cookies or Orange Saffron cookies, authentic Osmania Iranian Cookies.  Make the Saffron Infused Cake or just try adding a little Saffron to your favorite yellow cake recipe  Why not flavor a Crème Brulée?  If you haven’t yet why not try making GGG’s Orange Provencal Crêpes!  Infused in a simple syrup, you can add it to yogurt or sprinkle over ice cream.

Drinks with Saffron –

The flavored syrup is excellent in a Kir Royal (Champagne + Syrup), or for a non-alcoholic version try it in sparkling water for an intriguing change to soft drinks.   It’s delicious in Saffron Lemonade with a dash of Blackberry Syrup.  Try it in mixed drinks like the “Bling Out” (equal parts vodka and orange juice, Cointreau, dash Saffron Simple Syrup, dash lemon juice), the Saffron and Cardamom Sparkling Lemonade Cocktail, or the Watermelon Saffron Cooler.  For tea drinkers, it’s an excellent addition with a dash of Cardamom or just on its own in hot water.  Even better, swap the tea for almond milk.

Medicinal Uses

There are extensive ongoing researches about the medicinal properties of Saffron.  Saffron contains vitamins B-1 and B-2, and phyto-chemicals thought to help support your immune system and protect  body from free radical damage, cancer and infections.

Saffron has found to be as effective an antidepressant as Prozac without all the side effects.  It helps calm and relax, and is helpful for insomnia (try 1 tsp Saffron syrup in warm milk before bed), ADHD, and eases the stresses of Alzheimer’s.  Some research indicates it is helpful in retaining eyesight. Women with premenstrual cramps find it useful to lessen pains.  Eases digestion troubles and helps with colds (add to hot water with a dash of grated fresh ginger).  Blood pressure can be lowered with treatment.  It helps those with Opiate dependency, and is a proven epilepsy anti-convulsants.  The potential for cancer treatment and prevention is currently being studied.   Speak to your health care provider and do your own research before trying any of these treatments.

To use Saffron Medicinally –

Infuse 15 stigmas (30mg) in the liquid vehicle of your choice for 24 hours.  For the proper dosage and you must ingest the stigmas as well as the infusion.  You can also divide the dosage in two (7 stigmas x 2), and take twice a day.  Remember, 1 mg = approximately 2 stigmas.  Typical treatment period is one infusion daily for 4 weeks, max eight weeks.

To make a “Medicinal Strength Saffron Syrup” –

I purchased my high quality saffron directly from 13’Or Rouge in a convenient 1 gram jar, and they do ship worldwide.  Make a simple syrup using 1 cup sugar (225 gr) + 1 cup water to which you will infuse 1 gram Saffron filaments (450 stigmas) for 48 hours.  Keep refrigerated once infused, the dosage of 1 tablespoon will give you approximately 30mg of Saffron per dose for 30 days.  Makes 2 cups (450gr) syrup.

Happy (Saffron colored) Travels,
-Girl Gone Gallic

For my Pinterest friends…

French Saffron – Facts, Fun, History and Legends