Description
Saffron is a very delicate spice. The purple-petaled crocus, Crocus sativus, blooms from October to November. It belongs to the family Iridaceae and consists of 6 petals, 3 stamens, and 3 stigmas. Its harvest requires patience and virtuosity. It is during its flowering, which lasts only 2 or 3 weeks, that the crocus is harvested with care. It takes all the gentleness of women’s hands to grasp these ephemeral flowers. Then comes the phase of trimming, where women remove the stigmas from the flowers with the greatest care, keeping with a precise and ancestral gesture, the most aromatic part.
The red stigma of the purple crocus has intriguing aromas of cedar, pepper, and flowers, which concentrate warmth, power, and sweetness at the same time. While it ignites the passion of gastronomes, it is the indispensable product for chefs striving for Michelin stars.
