What is saffron?
Saffran is a spice obtained from stigmas of the flower of crocus sativus Linnaeus,commonly as rose of saffron.
Crocus sativus Linnaeus belongs to the family of lridaceae and it is characterized for having purpal light bulu wight flower with red stigma and yellow stamens.
The flower of crocus sativus Linnaeus is sterile.because it is an hybrid that has been maintaine for centuries because of the value of its stigmas.the reproduction of this plant is done with bulbs.
Each flower of crocus sativus Linnaeus has three stigmas of saffron(zaffran),also called filaments,which are joined by the style. Other Names:
Zipharana, Saffron, Zafrah, Kum Kuma, Saurab, Zaffran, Safran, Kesar, Mangalya, Autumn crocus, Mangal, Agnishikha, Spanish saffron, Kusrunam, dyer’s saffron, Kunkuma-puvva, thistle saffron, Kunkumma-purru, bastard saffron, Kunkuma-kesara, parrot’s corn, Kunkumappu, American saffron, Kessar, Keshar, Kecara, Kashmirajanma, Jafran, Bhavarakta
Saffron(Zaffran)
is a very expensive herb. This found in Kashmir , Spain , Iran , USA , Turkey , Morocco ,and some other countries. Saffron(Zaffran) that is grown in Jammu and Azaad Kashmir is considered to be the best in the world. Saffron(Zaffran) is found in different colors and different varieties Its bulbs are like onion and grass like leaves. One bulb of Saffron can create 10 to 15 more bulbs. Main bulb produces flowers and finishes it life whereas new bulbs grow for the next year. 80,000 to 1,00,000 flowers can give 1Kg of Saffron(Zaffran). Different varieties take flowers in different times in the year.
It is always grown in rows at 1 by 1 sq. feet. It can be grown any time in the year. Maximum temperature for the best growth is 30○ C. Above this temperature plants are unable to create stigmas.
Saffron(Zaffran) varieties Shahi saffron mogra saffron lachha saffran
Cultivation of saffron(zaffran)
The cultivation of saffron needs an extreme calimate,hot and dry weather in summer and cold in winter.
The land must be dry,calcareous,aired flat and with out teees.
Attributes that the mesets of castilla-la mancha has,which has made it one of the most important production areas in the world.
The soil must be equilibrated in norganic material inorder to avoid risks of erosion ,and have some depth that allows the water to drain so that the bulb is not damaged.
The sowing of bulbs is a very hard job because it is done by hand,and forces you to walk in a bent position of hundreds of yards.
A mule follows the sower with a plough to cover the ridges.
Harvesting of saffron(zaffran)
The harvesting takes place between the end of October-beginning of November.
The rose of saffron blooms at dawn and should stay the least possible time in the plant because it withers quickly and the stigmas loose color and aroma.this is why they are gathered between dawn and
Once the flower are gathered, stigmas are separated from the rest of the flower.
The stigmas of saffron have a high le vel of moisture,
So it is necessary to dry them for its good preservation. This is the process of roasting,in which the stigmas get definitive aspect bright red rigid and without wrinkles.
Soil pH requirements:
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
NOTS. plant does not set seed, flowers are sterile, or plants will not come true from seed
Shafqat Mahboob
CEO, Bursha Citrus Research & Development Nursery Center (Registered)Pvt
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