Saffron comes from Crocus sativus, the saffron crocus. Each flower produces just three red stigmas, all picked by hand in autumn. After harvesting, the threads are gently dried, concentrating their colour, aroma, and flavour. #saffron #crocus #harvest #spices #nature | Portnoo Market Garden

WHY GROW SAFFRON? * You can grow Saffron (Crocus Sativus) from zones 4-10. * Saffron is a fall blooming crocus. Planting between Aug-Oct. & harvesting Oct-Nov. * Saffron is the most expensive spice. * Saffron corms reproduce- new corms grow on old corms. * Saffron provides taste & is a powerful dye. * Saffron is a beautiful flower with a bright red & yellow pistil. When dried, these red stigmas make up the highly valuable spice, called Saffron. * Saffron doesn’t require much water or nutrition.

Only planted these a month ago! Crocus sativus grows quickly after planting and these red stigmas are the saffron, they can be plucked out of the blooms, dried and then used or stored for later. If you’d like to grow your own saffron, you haven’t missed your chance just yet. You can still plant Crocus sativus bulbs now, even though it’s the start of their flowering season (the bulbs will already have some shoots and produce even quicker growth when planted in October or early November!). They’re

Make the most of your saffron with a two-step process (maximum flavor and color): 1. Grind the saffron: Use either a pestle and mortar or a spice grinder. Grind until all of the strands become a fine powder. 2. Bloom the ground saffron in water: Stir 1/8 teaspoon of the ground saffron with 3 tablespoons of water. Allow to bloom for 10 minutes. | The Mediterranean Dish