Experience the Magic of Saffron: Sensory Exploration & History

Table of Contents

1. My First Brush with Saffron (It was More Like a Crash)
2. Saffron: What Exactly Is This Magic?
   • The Anatomy of Saffron Threads
   • Color: Beyond Just Pretty Yellow
3. Smells Like…Well, Saffron! A Deep Dive Into Aromatics
4. The Taste Test: Earthy, But Make it Fancy
5. Saffron’s History: More Ancient Than My Grandma’s Jokes
6. Why is Saffron so Expensive, For Real Though?
7. Saffron’s Journey From Field to Kitchen
8. Can you use too much? My little Experiment (Fail alert)
9. My Concluding (Kind of Profound Thoughts, if i might say so my self)
10. Got Any Questions? (Lets go and discuss this )

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1. My First Brush with Saffron (It was More Like a Crash)

So, picture this, okay? Me, pretty clueless about fancy spices, except, I kinda know basic cinnamon from its cousins (or like… something). My grandma (bless her soul) gifted me some real deal saffron, all of that because she knew that I tried that yellow stuff (tumeric, not even close) once and thought it was a big deal… she did gently smile as always do. Honestly. i felt like someone handed me a box full of fairy dust, each thin thread almost glittering in the light. She probably saw my very-very surprised reaction. Of course I, young as i am did that “duh, I knew it!”… So like, it was supposed to go into her super duper secret family recipe (Paella, of course), but my stupid curiosity get the better of me and i opened that super beautiful (mini treasure chest). Ofcourse the first time ever touching this and almost getting blind and seeing so much yellowish-red that it looked so, out of this word…

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Anyways I accidentally sneezed directly into this little tin, not even a day had past since receiving, the whole treasure got spread everywhere like golden confetti (more expensive than it) in my apartment’s living room floor . Lesson learned? Don’t mess with saffron right after eating spicy chili . You could have seen my expression, if you would have ever witnessed some kid trying to hold water with it hands , something like this i think. I learned a valuable lesson though that afternoon : saffron is powerful (both expensive, and color potent ), I also did understood my grandma would always be smiling seeing all those antics I had.. But that wasn’t the end, not just yet!

2. Saffron: What Exactly Is This Magic?

Alright, so the stuff. Saffron. It’s basically those tiny threads, but not threads in your sewing box kind-of threads. We’re talking stigmas— they say those are the part of the Crocus sativus flower. I know , very fancy scientific terms huh? I still sometimes I stumble with “Croco, Crocco….something flower”. Its those teeny tiny (you already know i said thread again but its true) that makes me believe this really was made of pure gold, I even had tried at some moment if maybe those were from gold like in some story from childhood and how disappointed i was when that was all just a normal color!. Anyway so I can pretend like that I know it all that those are actually the parts that gets that crazy pretty deep redish hue from that pretty flower .

• The Anatomy of Saffron Threads: I never though about a plant can have inside part something that is so precious. When you zoom in you got one big “stem” inside the middle of that red ( or orange) stick with the same kind-of color that comes out of it , some times even longer! Anyway I’m just saying, imagine the skill necessary to grab, dry, pack , these fragile threads that looked too “thin-for-the-job”! . Maybe there are some experts who spend their entire time working on those “thingies” (lets not repeat what they call them..).. Anyway i wonder what that must look like…I can picture an old person gently holding each one in it’s small palm. Like I would!
• Color: Beyond Just Pretty Yellow: So I did say at some moment I confuse turmeric and Saffron, right?. So , those thread are actually like kinda…crimson or orange and not like my mustard at lunch kinda yellow. What i find amazing about it , and something I kinda “accidentally” discover during one my so-so many cooking projects is , how yellow and beautiful the final dishes become with those “red little devils”!. So all of this little magic “transforming power” comes from its special pigment , and trust me all those fancy scientific terms they try to get me buy into is not for me right now!.

3. Smells Like…Well, Saffron! A Deep Dive Into Aromatics

This is when i have some little disagreement, I kinda have it with the person,who said the smell was a “bitter” . Ok , it may not be sweet in a chocolate candy kind-of sense but i cannot understand anyone who find bitter this!. When you put the threads under my nose it is a full “experience”.. for example is sort of like when you enter a flowershop on a spring day? No? Oh..Well i think that way.. Imagine something almost earthy ( if i have smelled what i imagine “earth smell like..”, that’s how you know all the magic in those little guys come to alive ..) But then ,there is the subtle sweetness , some thing so smooth.. like i don’t know a baby’s first skin. Oh my god! Is this ok for this magazine? Anyways… It’s definitely… “saffron-y”. There is just this note that is unique to these beautiful threads . Is there more i should try? If you have some advice for me you could always let me know…please!

4. The Taste Test: Earthy, But Make it Fancy

The taste can get complicated! So let’s see if I can remember . First thing? Its super subtle, but it has it´s own persona, its not easy like plain vanilla ( oh if someone compares those ill take offense personally!). Is not something that i felt it is going to slap you on the face the very first instant . Saffron is like..the quiet character, but makes sure that everyone know is the hero!. There’s this mild, “bitter note”, which some smart people (I have doubt’s on that ) say is “metallic”?, but if someone would describe like, i could make a safe guess its that little “something” . And yes.. there it is again : a little earthiness, too! Not a dirt in a backyard sense but, “oh im sophisticated sense” kinda flavor that feels like you know all kind of plants with just one bite . All i can say? Makes everything kinda delicious . Even that dish I made where, everything got a weird tone of brown and it had like 2 more things on the menu i didnt ask… This time I know for the fact if saffron wasnt there to safe me everything would be tragic.. Anyway It’s fancy, ok? You must trust me.

5. Saffron’s History: More Ancient Than My Grandma’s Jokes

Ok so I dig into history as if someone has gifted me with that cool, metal detective gear for one of my B’days. Turns out, this little thing is OLD. Like, really old. Imagine back like Ancient time old and Egyptian old ! And its said ( the google kind of sources not the ancient one..) they were wearing them and adding those pretty goldish color on them! And of course , like i expected to discover those, those also would paint things and even to treat all kinds of issues?. Amazing huh! Greeks Romans! Oh my , they seem all too fond of saffron and it uses for both things : from using to beautify and eat and in fact do some more things!. So here is some conclusion about this history of it: All civilizations since then have love them in many different forms for multiple reasons. They are that loved that they became that kinda rare luxury. This history tells so many good stories , right?

6. Why is Saffron so Expensive, For Real Though?

So, remember I told you that is sometimes more than my rent ? Well.. that ain’t a joke ( almost though). It´s the hard work needed to get to each single “thread-ish” that makes this golden boy so darn pricey . Each tiny flower ( or that Croco something that you now by hear) they produce like.. barely any stigma or three max . Each flower.. not too much you see.. right?. Each single plant, all handpicked by expert growers that should have hands of gods , that’s how i see it. I see those farmers moving, bent down picking each and every thread ( oh what those backs will feel at the end of each season! ). You can understand the sheer amount of tiny work each has! and on a huge level too.. So yes its worth every cent.. Maybe when I win a lotery I can see if I will agree with what my grandma said “this it the true definition of richness” , meanwhile im doing my best! . I understand better. now.. (ok for a moment im feeling kinda mature )

7. Saffron’s Journey From Field to Kitchen

Okay, imagine those small fields with flowers of this very very light color? And the sun… That part gets me teary.. From handpicked by (magical hand-fingers- like ) all this thing , to that big process drying everything until perfection to getting those beautiful color that makes a dish complete! ( I love this image too).. Is there a bigger effort involved? probably a lot of science magic!. There are so much care with packing so the fragile pieces arrive home.. .It just blows my mind the whole thing! How they are packaged carefully, usually to arrive at someone’s pantry (or for me , the living room if my grandma gives me a “new adventure”) and become like “secret key for flavor! It a truly magical experience to think about each part, from beginning to ending with so many steps (that are too boring to get on this article )!

8. Can You Use Too Much? My Little Experiment (Fail Alert)

You would think: More is better when talking saffron right??. I have learnt my lessos the hard way that not always things work this way.. Ok so I tried once using, because grandma’s not watching (or better that she wasn’t around!) some “saffron power mix”. Instead of some normal dose? No my girl here said double that!. Ooof my rice never did taste this badly , the color went wild like one cartoon gone rampage ! (that also look beautiful ) . I tried but after the 4 bite my soul just said nope and went away.. Ok that wasn’t like what happened exactly .I still believe there are some flavors in life that should be enjoyed as subtle hint of happiness.. not as one punch on your tongue. So lesson learnt.

9. My Concluding (Kind of Profound Thoughts, if I might say so myself)

So all I want to say is that I am blown away, and mind blown at how this thread thing makes my imagination go on a rampage. From that small accident to getting to know this flower , it is an almost poetic trip. All those civilizations have been crazy in love of those red,yellow small thing is now kinda something I truly understand!. More than a simple fancy spices those are really a window into how the Earth can create magical stuff!. From history to color, even smell, they make all senses happy. Is now time I feel i can really appreciate what that tiny little flower do!. If some of my life choices could involve having a saffron flower with all the gold of it i wont say no at the opportunity. Thank You! Next I will research and ask around and how to make my grandmas Paella.. That’s next on the Menu, watch out !

10. Got Any Questions? (Lets go and discuss this)

So? Anything i didn’t make clear or there’s any questions I missed, just let me know!. Saffron experts, any thought’s? If im all out of line, please let me have it!. If there’s more crazy recipes where saffron takes an awesome role , let me hear it too!! This adventure needs more participants!, Lets Discuss! Or at least that’s what they teach me in “how to look interested in other opinion classes” . (kidding!)