Saffron

[Shorty2506]

Thanks u so much. I had an allotment a few years back but only had it spring to sep time due to moving. Now with not working I want to try and grow as much as I can all year round but the weather is so different here (neath, south wales)what I am use to. I am just subscribed to grow your own and am learning lots from there, and will starting ready on here to learn more. :-)

[Soylent Green]

Hi Shorty,
Thompson & Morgan have an offer on at the moment 50 bulbs for £16.99.

[veggiechicken]

£11.97 for 50 at Crocus

[spanish_gardener]

When I lived in Spain, I had about 60 plants (each plant gives you 3 stamens and you need 6 stamens for a rice or pasta for four persons). From my experience with saffron plants you have to be very careful, because you have to collect them as they are ready. If you do not collect at the right time, they go to waste. Also, if it rains lots, they go to waste. I think it is very difficult to cultivate saffron in a rainy area, but not in a greenhouse or polytunnel, as long as you have enough space.

Bulbs can be expensive, but they can last up to two decades. I recommend you buy saffron bulbs from a Spanish vendor that has the certificate of "denominación de origen", since many people sell "crocus" which is not "crocus sativus".

There are lots of dishes and drinks which contains saffron. You can add saffron in rice, pasta, couscous, etc. Here are a few recipes you can Google:

- Cuchaule (saffron bread).
- Bouillabaisse (fish stew).
- Catalan Genestrata.
- Chartreuse (French liquor).
- Izarra (French-Basque liquor)
- Arabian coffee (cinnamon and saffron flavoured coffee).
- Chai tea.
- Indian lassi (a must eat yoghurt!)