SAFFRON
INTRODUCTION:
The saffron is known to be a most or a great valuable spice in the
world. It consists of a part like the red stigma which, looks like a
thread like structure. Actually, many tales have been told about the
spice saffron but we still most of us doesn’t know what to do with it
and what are their worth.
The taste of the saffron is subtle and fragnant taste. It tastes a bitter
sweety slightly and a luxurious taste and it is totally an undetermined
taste.
The botanical name of the saffron is crocus sativus, also known as
saffron crocus. It belongs to the family of Iridaceae, which is known
to be the best for producing the spice saffron from the filaments
which grows as a part inside the flower. It belongs to the family of
plantae and the order is Asparagales and also it belongs to the class
liliate. Saffron is the world’s costliest spice by the measurement of
weight.
HISTORY AND ORIGIN:
It had been discovered that the saffron is originated in Iran, Greece
and Mesopotamia. Then the saffron it is slowly propogated to
Eurasia and then after brought to North Africa and North America.
Apart from this, if we see further in detail saffron is known as the
oldest and costliest spice on the earth and also considered as a
valuable spice for thousand years. The saffron was first harvested in
Central Asia over 3,500 years ago. Then later this spice was traded
through Eurasia, mainly strongly wished and intended for Kings,
Roman Emperors and became as a powerful medical plant. Almost
saffron grows in a wide, bounded by the Mediterranean and Kashmir
in east. Except the continent, ANTARTICA all the other countries
produce small amounts.
So, Iran is in the top of the list for saffron. It produces almost 95% of
world mass saffron. In the countries like such as Austria, England,
Germany and Swizterland only select locales to continue the harvest
of saffron. The minimum amount of cultivation occurs in the
countries like: Tasmania, China, Egypt, France, Mexico, Turkey.
California and NEWZELAND.
BENEFITS AND USES:
The spice saffron can acts as a powerful, antioxidants to kill germs.
The saffron is used in the boundary of medical field like improved
mood, libido, reduced PMS symptoms and act as weight losing
factor. Many people use saffron for depression, anxiety, Alzheimer
disease.
The spice saffron which is used in the food for coloring and used as a
flavoring agent. In the manufacturing process, saffron extracts are
used as a fragnance in perfumes and also as a dye for cloth.
Facts on saffron:
1. The word saffron is derived from the Arabic word zafaran ,
which means yellow.
2. The pigment of the saffron are found in north-west of Iran over
50,000 years ago.
3. In ancient times, saffron threads were woven into textiles.
4. Alexander the great used persian saffron in his infusions as a
curative for battle wounds.
5. Saffron is also used as an insecticide and pesticides.
6. The deep saffron is the color of the upper band of the Indian
national flag, which represents courage, brave and sacrifice.
CONCLUSION:
Although the saffron has potential role in the disease cure and
prevention, but people were not affording it properly. So it is good
to use spice saffron in the foods and also in the medical system.
