🌍 Greece / Persia → Spain (La Mancha), Iran (world's largest producer), Kashmir
🕰️ 3,000+ years ago
Dates clés
1600 BC
Depicted in Minoan frescoes in Santorini, Greece
7th century BC
Mentioned in Assyrian botanical texts
10th century
Arab traders introduce cultivation to Spain
14th century
Saffron War breaks out in Basel over stolen shipments
1374
Brought to Switzerland by returning pilgrims, igniting the Saffron Wars
Anecdotes culturelles
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Persian
Cleopatra bathed in saffron-infused water for its supposed aphrodisiac properties.
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Greek
The gods of Olympus were said to sleep on beds of saffron.
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Spanish
La Mancha saffron carries a Protected Designation of Origin, and harvesting is still done by hand in October.
Routes commerciales
- Silk Road — Persia → China & India (2nd century BC – 15th century AD)
- Arab trade networks — Persia → North Africa & Spain (8th–10th century)
- Mediterranean sea routes — Spain → Europe (12th–18th century)
À travers les âges
- Antiquity Royal dye, perfume, medicine, and sacred offerings
- Medieval Europe Coveted spice worth more than gold by weight; used to gild food
- Renaissance Used in confectionery, sauces, and as a pigment for manuscripts
- Modern era Culinary spice, medicinal research, and luxury flavoring