History of Saffron

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The name of saffron comes from the Persian “safra” what means yellow. There is no doubt saffron is the oldest and most used spice by the Human Being.

The cultivation of this plant is intimately related with the most cultured and refined civilizations in the Oriental World. Therefore, saffron discovery in Occident, is connected with the progressive nations displacements which, from East to West, made up the different cultures along the Mediterranean side.

To be exact, the saffron was introduced in Spain during the Arabic domination. Arabic cooking was very rich in herbaceous flavourings and saffron was the most important, used as colouring and seasoning in most of their receips.

Saffron has been used throughout the History because of its medicinal properties as well as its colouring power and nice aroma.

In the Old Egypt the saffron was used as an aromatic essence and excelent dyeing. In the Classic Greece, as an excelent perfume and for composition of medicinal prescriptions.

Romans used saffron as infusion and even as aphrodisiac.