Is the flower of saffron an ornament or a spice?

Saffron, or crocus - a perennial plant, a member of the family of iris. Origin comes from Asia Minor. Now we know more than 300 varieties of saffron. In the wild, none of them grow. The flower of saffron can be white, golden, yellow, purple or variegated. Some plants bloom in the spring, and others in the fall. Spring-flowering bloom very early. No sooner will the snow fall, but saffron flowers already appear . The photo shows these beautiful primroses.

Care of saffron

This plant is unpretentious and does not require special care. Crocus likes sunny places, although it can live in the penumbra. The plant does not tolerate an excess of moisture, but it can easily survive a drought. It is frost-resistant: withstands up to 18 degrees of frost.

Reproduction of saffron

Propagated with the help of saffron bulbs. The seeds that are in the capsules are not used for reproduction. For planting choose healthy intact bulbs. Propagated saffron quickly: one onion per season gives up to 5 children. But once in a few years, plants need to be transplanted to a new location, since eventually the soil loses nutrients, and the saffron flower becomes shallow. Spring-flowering crocuses plant in September or October, and autumn-flowering - in July or September.

Saffron outpouring

Saffron is often used for distillation to get flowers for winter holidays. In order to grow a saffron flower in an indoor setting, spring-flowering Dutch crocuses are best suited. The bulbs excavated in August or September are kept for two weeks at a temperature of 24 ⁰ C in a room that is well ventilated. Then they put it away for storage. Store at a temperature of 5 - 9 degrees Celsius. For 3 months before the required date, saffron bulbs are planted in bowls, which are taken out into a cool room. In 2 months, when the sprouts appear, the plant is transferred to a bright place. In low light, the plant will stretch, and the saffron flower will be weak. Maintain a temperature of 10 - 15 ⁰ C. At a higher temperature, the flowers will bloom earlier than necessary. If the necessary conditions are met after two weeks, you can see the saffron flower. Flowering lasts approximately 2 weeks.

Saffron in Cooking

From the plant saffron seasoning is made. But for her only one grade of crocus is suitable - crocus seed. It blooms in autumn. To make spices, use the stigma of the plant. They are torn by hand only in dry weather between 10 and 11 am. Stigma is dried at room temperature. Saffron is considered the king of spices and is very expensive. To get 1 kilogram of spice you need to disrupt 80 900 plants. Saffron has a strong smell and bitter-spicy taste. It as an aromatic and coloring substance is added to the dishes of oriental cuisine: stuffed fish, soup, dough, pilaf. Also put saffron in confectionery: buns, muffins, cookies. It is also used for the dyeing of butter, cheese, liquor and some non-alcoholic beverages.

Saffron in medicine

Saffron is a very valuable medicine. It is used to treat the cardiovascular system, digestive tract, liver, kidneys and urinary tract. It is also used to increase potency. Use saffron in very small doses: 1 gram is enough for annual treatment.