The Bengali name for saffron is ‘saffron,’ in English it’s also called saffron. Its scientific name is Crocus sativus. Saffron is known as one of the most expensive spices in the world and is often referred to as ‘Red Gold.’ The use of saffron was widespread among noble families in the Persian Gulf region due to its fragrance and bright color. The origin of saffron cultivation is Greece, and it is also practiced in many European Union countries. Saffron is cultivated in Afghanistan, Iran, Turkey, Greece, Egypt, China, and extensively in some parts of Spain and India, especially in Kashmir. Spain is the largest exporter, accounting for about 70 percent of the world’s total demand for saffron.
Saffron is actually a dried flower extract from the flowering plant Crocus sativus. The plant can be found worldwide and is best suited for cultivation in sandy loam soil. Saffron grows best at a temperature of 25 degrees Celsius in low light, and it’s not difficult to grow. However, the challenging part lies in extracting the molecules from the flower, which requires a lot of manual labor, as each flower’s molecules need to be collected one by one. This is why saffron is so valuable. It takes 50,000 to 100,000 flowers to produce 1 pound (450 grams) of dried saffron, and 100,000 to 170,000 flowers for a kilogram. Picking 150,000 flowers takes about 40 hours. The price of saffron is approximately 600,000 to 1,000,000 taka per kilogram.
When purchasing saffron, it’s important to be aware of the possibility of encountering fake saffron. Fake saffron is often made from flower petals known as kusum, and its bright red color can make it difficult to distinguish from real saffron. Buyers should be cautious and attentive when buying saffron to avoid being cheated by sellers.
Breeding:
To propagate, collect the buds or bulbs (similar to onions). From a one-year-old plant, only two suitable bulbs for planting are available. However, after 3-4 years, 5-7 bulbs can be obtained from each tree. If you plan to plant in new land, you should collect bulbs from a 3-4 year old tree and plant them in the new land. It is not advisable to grow crops for more than 3-4 years on the same land. It is necessary to remove the bulbs and adopt a new farming system.
Land Selection:
Saffron can be grown in various types of land, but sandy loam soil is most suitable. It’s best to select high or medium high land with good drainage for cultivation. Choose a planting location that receives ample sunlight and air.
Saffron Cultivation Method:
You’ll need about 150 saffron bulbs for every pound of prepared seeds. Plant the bulbs in July or August, before the end of the monsoon season. When preparing the land, deeply cultivate it and then apply 300 kg of rotted cow dung or garbage manure, 3 kg of TSP, and 4 kg of MOP. Mix these fertilizers well into the soil, and then lightly irrigate the land after two weeks. Saffron cultivation is well-suited for homestead areas.
Care:
To cultivate saffron, it’s essential to keep the land free of weeds. Occasionally loosen the soil with a rake to promote good air movement and healthy plant growth. During dry seasons, you can provide light irrigation, but saffron requires less water compared to other crops. It’s important to ensure that water doesn’t accumulate on the ground during the monsoon season, as this can cause the planted bulbs to rot.
Disasters and Diseases:
Various mice, birds, and rabbits enjoy eating saffron leaves, flowers, and even the plant’s bulbs, wasting twice as much as they consume. If such pests are found, it is important to control them using traps or by administering appropriate pesticides.
Root Rot Diseases:
Root rot is a highly destructive disease for saffron plants. When the disease attacks, it causes the roots to decay, eventually killing the plant. This disease is highly contagious, so special precautions should be taken, and saffron cannot be cultivated in affected soil for two years.
Harvesting Saffron:
Saffron planted in the first year usually does not flower. However, if the saffron bulb planted is of significant size, one flower may emerge from the plant that year. From the second year onward, each plant will have 2-3 flowers in succession. A two-year-old plant will yield 4-5 flowers, and a three-year-old one will yield 7-8 flowers. Saffron plants have 3 female parts and 3 male parts. The flowering season begins in October and continues through November.
Benefits of Saffron:
Despite its small size, saffron is a valuable fragrance and a widely used cooking ingredient. It also possesses medicinal properties. Saffron is used for reducing body fat, as an aphrodisiac, for treating flatulence, and for regulating menstruation in women. It is also believed to provide protection from cancer, improve knowledge acquisition and memory retention, delay puberty, enhance sexual power, promote hair growth on bald heads, offer protection from the cold, and enhance the taste and aroma of food. Saffron is commonly used in various food preparations such as cakes, biscuits, fish marinades, pilaf, biryani, coffee, fruit syrups, yogurt, and desserts due to its color, fragrance, and taste.
Caution:
Although saffron has many beneficial qualities, it should not be consumed in excess. Pregnant women should avoid consuming saffron, and consuming more than a small amount can lead to poisoning.
