My Saffron Teacher

A few of years ago I decided I would plant 500 crocus saffron bulbs. I was so excited mainly because I was pretty certain that I had never experienced domestic saffron. I figured with 500 bulbs I would yield enough so Chris could incorporate the saffron into a dinner special. My overactive imagination, in addition to my delusions of grandeur conjured up a saffron tasting that would consist of the saffron I had grown, some from Spain and Iran. After firmly planting the bulbs in the ground I began my research on how to cultivate the flowers and calculate my yield. To my dismay I discovered that a pound of saffron threads (stigmas) require 70,000 flowers! One gram of saffron is the result of 150 flowers. By weight it is the world’s most expensive spice. If I was lucky and all of the bulbs bloomed and I didn’t damage any of the stigmas I would yield 3.33 grams. The process of managing my very unrealistic expectations was underway. The likelihood that all of my bulbs would emerge with flowers was extremely optimistic. Even if half of them produced flowers and I could harvest the stigmas in tact I would yield 1.6 grams.

I planted my bulbs in April. In the fall green corms (the leaves of the bulb) began to emerge. The corms almost look like thin green strands of fettuccine. They are very grass-like and slender. About a month after the corms emerged the flowers followed. When the flowers reached their maturity I carefully trimmed the stigmas. Each flower will typically contain three stigmas. As I was cutting the stigmas from the flowers with small trimmers I arrived at the realization that the farmers that harvest the threads are special saffron fairies with small and nimble hands. This was not an easy task. I think I ended up with about 50 threads. My saffron did not disappoint my palate. It was earthy, musky and slightly sweet, as it should be. I have a greater respect and appreciation for this spice. Our lives of convenience rob us of our ability to understand the true cost of what resides in our kitchen cabinets.

I haven’t given up on my crocus bulbs. I will most likely plant more, however I will be less cavalier about the intensity of harvest and the patience required to produce the end result. I now know why saffron so expensive. It was an expensive lesson for me. I don’t refer to the monetary aspect of my endeavor, but the learning experience and the true cost of my humbled ego!