Saffron

Botanical name: Crocus sativus

Life cycle: Perennial bulb

Height: 25 cm

Position: Full sun

Soil preference: Well drained

Description

Saffron is a perennial growing to 23 cm high from a bulb like corm. The leaves are narrow and up to 25 cm long. In autumn, it produces purple flowers approximately 3.5-5.0 cm long, which contain three bright red threadlike stigmas. Flowers are picked when open and the stigmas removed for drying.

Uses

Culinary – Saffron spice is widely used to scent rice dishes, milky puddings, breads, and cakes. To bring out the strongest colour and flavour, grind threads in a small ceramic mortar. Transfer the ground saffron to the dish. When adding threads to dishes with very little liquid, it is best to soak the saffron first in a tepid water and add towards the end of cooking. Ground saffron can be added directly to dishes.   

Medicinal  -  Saffron has been used traditionally to treat fever, respiratory diseases, and depression. In children, it has been used for respiratory infections, colic and to relieve teething pain.

Growing conditions

Saffron bulbs require well-drained soil and lots of sunlight.  Plant saffron bulbs around 10 cm deep and at least 10 cm apart. It can be propagated by offsets removed from the parent corm in late spring.

5 corms (varying sizes).

$10.00