Saffron is a romantic and captivating spice with an intriguing story. The history of this precious spice, known globally for its vibrant colour, unique flavour, and potent aroma, dates back to antiquity. From its wild origins in the cradles of civilization to its revered status in modern cuisine and medicine, the journey of saffron is a fascinating tale of trade, art, culture, and innovation. Join us as we follow saffron’s historic timeline through centuries and civilizations, from the temples of Sumer to the wild valleys of Crete, the sun-drenched plains of Persia, and the pouches of weary Crusaders.
Divine intervention
At around 5,000 BCE, an urban civilization emerged in what is today central Iraq, known to the world as the Kingdom of Sumer. A prosperous kingdom, Sumerians made considerable advancements in architecture, language, mathematics, and agriculture. Most notable was the Sumerians’ contribution to urban planning. Their grand palaces and temples were surrounded by lush trees and shrubs, irrigated with water flowing from the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.
Wild flowers grew in abundance in the lush fields and gardens of Sumer, and those deemed worthy by Gods would find their way into royal temples and palaces. The Sumerians believed that everything existed through divine intervention – plants got their medicinal properties as seen fit by the gods and goddesses, and it was up to the priests and priestesses serving these deities to turn them into healing potions. So, in illness, the Sumerians turned to their temples, seeking remedies to ease the pain.
Saffron was a flower that was immensely favoured by the Gods of Sumer. Sumerians soon found many uses for this wild yet delicate flower that adorned their valleys and gardens every autumn. Saffron was revered for its healing powers and was also favoured as a perfume. It also proved a lucrative trade.
However, in late 1800 BCE, Sumerian Gardens and palaces fell to the unmerciful warriors of Babylon and Assyria, who couldn’t envisage any new use for the spice beyond what the Sumerians had and the fate of the flower was left entirely to the magnanimity of the Gods.
Wild blossoms of Crete
At around 1,500 BCE, a volcanic eruption brought life on the Mediterranean island of Crete to a halt. For over two millennia, Minoans had created prospering settlements across the island. But the ominous rumblings and shakings of the earth beneath meant that life as they had known it would no longer be. Soon, the fiery lava was raging through the lavish structures of Crete, thick ashes burying the remains of a fascinating civilization.
What is left behind attests to a peaceful and prosperous kingdom with astonishing artistic talent and a massive admiration for nature. For all their needs, Minoans turned to nature. Evergreen Cedars, lush vineyards, and olive groves dominated the island’s landscape. Every autumn, the foothills of Crete would turn violet with blooming saffron crocuses that feature heavily in Minoan art.
Minoans had a habit of adorning their magnificent palaces and homes with beautiful wall paintings. Painted in vibrant earth tones and preserved by volcanic ashes, the astonishing Minoan frescos have beautifully captured the life and culture of the kingdom. And quite notable is the depiction of the saffron crocus in these charming wall paintings. The “saffron gatherers” depicts a group of women gathering the precious flower with a goddess overseeing the harvest. The repeated appearance of saffron on frescos and pottery and the attention it commanded indicates the flower held an exceptionally high status in the Minoan culture.
Saffron was an integral part of Minoan life, and the spice was abundantly at hand. Apart from its symbolic representation in arts, the spice was also used at a practical level. Minoan used saffron as a dye to create brightly coloured frescos since it was considered a gentler dye. Minoan women also use it for their saffron-tinted bolero jackets. Mixed with rose petals and oils, saffron was also used to create perfumes with charming deep notes, which they used abundantly. In addition, saffron was also used for medicinal purposes, as Minoans believed it made the body stronger.
The Amazon of the Ancient World
Imagine Amazon delivery but on boats! That’s the role the Phoenicians fulfilled in the ancient world. For centuries, these Mediterranean people dominated commerce across the known world thanks to their exceptional skills in trade and seafaring. Phoenicians were instrumental in distributing goods across the Mediterranean, Africa, and Western Asia through an elaborate network of trade centres.
As savvy tradesmen, they would also influence the sale of certain products. To the Phoenicians, no commodity was unsalable. Through their compelling tales of kings, conquerers, and new empires, they attracted enthusiastic buyers wherever they went.
Among the Phoenicians’ most prized commodities was none other than saffron. Through their trade experiences, Phoenicians had accumulated No knowledge of how saffron was diversely used in different parts of the world and was considered a reliable source when it came to the golden threads. No matter where they dropped anchor, there was always an order for the mesmerizing spice – from royal courts to physicians and perfumers, saffron was one of the most coveted spices these merchants possessed.
The Phoenicians enjoyed a close relationship with the Persians, and even though in the 3rd century BCE, much of the world had come under Persian rule, the Phoenicians were given considerable autonomy. Their proximity with the Persians greatly impacted the saffron trade and how this valuable spice spread worldwide.
Into the Gardens of Persia
Saffron had many admirers, but despite its many uses, it was never considered a crop worthy of cultivation. At least not until it found a home in Persia. It is not clear whether saffron was native to the land or whether it was introduced to these people through trade. Whether it grew in the fields of Khorasan or whether it arrived through the Sumerians and the Phoenicians, saffron became an integral part of Persian culture.
The scattered tribes that had settled in the Iranian Plateau some 3,000 years ago had managed to create a global empire built on tolerance and inclusivity. These sophisticated people had a distinct way of life that captivated and inspired the world for centuries to come. They were adamant about enjoying all the pleasures of life. They showed great fondness for beauty and took great pleasure in surrounding themselves with nature, which led to the creation of the magnificent Persian gardens.
Apart from their breath-taking beauty, the gardens greatly influenced Persian culture and cuisine. Many of the flowers and fruits adorning these gardens would end up adding exceptional taste and fragrance to Persian dishes. From gardens to carpets, fabrics and food colours were essential to Persian aesthetics. One plant that would constantly meet the Persians’ need for vibrant yellow and golden hues was saffron.
The violet crocus was used in heaps across Persia, first as a dye before making its way from the royal gardens into the royal kitchens. Food was an art form for Persians, and saffron took centre stage. The golden stigmas were added to rice and stews to create a unique symphony of colour and aroma. The Persians were also very fond of Saffron tea, believing it could combat melancholy and strengthen the heart.
Eventually, the Persians decided they couldn’t rely on imports for their colossal use of saffron. So, in the 10th century BCE, huge scores of arid land were transformed into violet fields of saffron. The cultivation of saffron and the unique ways the Persians used the spice were integral to how saffron was used and traded across the world. With the empire’s expansion, saffron reached lands as far as India, Kashmir, and China and rose in status as the most luxurious and sought-after spice.
Here come the Romans
Without a shadow of a doubt, the Romans established one of the greatest and most powerful empires the world has ever witnessed. Steeped in wealth and power, the Romans did not shy away from flaunting their riches. Having reached the symbolic status of wealth and prestige through Persians, saffron was used extravagantly by the new rulers of the world.
The Romans’ use of saffron was chiefly inspired by the Greeks. They used saffron in their daily baths – the habit was picked up by Alexander during his military campaign in Persia. Later, when his soldiers returned home, they continued this practice along with other habits, including adding saffron to their tea, wine, and rice dishes. The Romans later continued these practices for their health benefits and as a lavish display of the empire’s wealth. The Romans would spray saffron in halls, public spaces, and even their streets to cleanse the air.
And wherever they went, the bewitching flower followed, becoming an established spice across much of Europe and North Africa. However, by the 5th century CE, Romans had lost their grip on much of their empire and with the dawn of the Dark Ages, there was no place for the Romans’ sumptuous ways. This marked an end to the glory of saffron in Europe, with the spice vanishing from the realm altogether.
The birth of Paella
It took another 300 years for saffron to make a comeback in Europe – this time courtesy of the Moors. The multiracial Muslims that ruled over the Iberian were influential in reshaping culture in southern Europe. Under Moorish rule, Spain became Europe’s centre for art and science. The Moorish influence was not only cultural – they transformed Spain’s natural landscape by putting up an elaborate irrigation system and improving farming.
Under their rule, agriculture flourished in Spain. The Moors found southern Spain to be very suitable for growing rice and saffron. With the help of these two vital ingredients, they started replicating dishes from their homelands. By the 10th century, rice had become an established part of Spanish cuisine.
Drawing inspiration from the Middle Eastern mixed rice dishes, the Spanish devised their version of the dish – Paella. Meaning “frying pan”, the hearty dish first appeared in Valencia in the 15th century. Vegetables and seafood were mixed into rice and seasoned with saffron to create a tasty and aromatic dish.
Lighting up the Dark Ages
The Romans left, taking all manners of earthly pleasures with them. What followed was a cold and grey shadow that loomed over Europe for the next nine centuries. Only when the first crusaders returned from their battles East was Europe reacquainted with the pleasures of life. Returning from long campaigns in the Middle East, many Christian soldiers had brought home exotic treasures that had bewitched them.
Soon, precious spices were appearing in markets across Europe, but only the rich and the noble could afford them. It was a long and costly journey before these aromatic treasures reached Europe, leading to a massive increase in prices. That’s why only a select few could afford them.
Spices found a huge following among the aristocrats and became a means for demonstrating wealth and prestige. Lavish banquets were thrown by the rich and mighty as a grand display of wealth. Suddenly, bland dishes were transformed into colourful, aromatic displays. No spice was revered like saffron. Not only for its unique taste and aroma but primarily for its shimmering golden colour. It also became a priceless commodity when Europe was plunged into another period of uncertainty.
Let the War Begin!
Between 1357 and 1365, the plague raged through Europe, claiming lives on all fronts. Desperate for a cure, doctors turned to their Muslim counterparts for any hope of a remedy. Saffron seemed to be the answer, as it was highly valued in the East for its medicinal properties.
The word spread, and already trading at a high price, saffron became even more valuable as a medicine. However, the spice was barely cultivated in Europe, and due to years of hostility brought on by the Crusades, Middle Eastern saffron was not readily available to Europeans. The much-coveted spice became more precious than gold and was subject to mass piracy. There was an incident dubbed the “Saffron War” where a huge cargo of saffron was stolen en route to Basel. The ordeal dragged on for 14 weeks and was resolved only when the king of Austria and the bishop of Basel intervened.
The unpleasant experience led Basel to grow its saffron. The trade proved lucrative and went on for a decade before cultivation was abandoned. Soon, Nuremberg followed suit – the city became the new centre for saffron trade in Europe. Strict laws were passed to protect the precious spice against adulteration, and harsh punishments were given for even the slightest breach of the law.
The precious crocus eventually reached the shores of England, becoming the namesake of the Essex town of Saffron Walden. From the 1500s to the 18th century, saffron farming became the town’s primary industry. The city grew prosperous thanks to the lilac blossoms that covered Saffron Walden. The spice was mainly used for medicine, but the English found ways to incorporate it into their cooking and baking. They also found saffron an excellent dye for their wools and linens.
What came next
For the next couple of centuries, cultivation of saffron continued across Europe, mainly for medicinal uses. However, as Europeans became more familiar with other crops through their imperialistic expansions, the dwindling fields of saffron gave way to new exotic plants that required less care and were easier to cultivate. The cultivation of the crop was limited to a few locations, which to this day remain the main cultivators of saffron.
But saffron never lost its ancient charm in the East, becoming a staple in Persian and Indian culture and cuisine. Centuries of cultivation, trade, and cultural exchanges have shaped saffron into what it is today. It remains the most expensive spice in the world, evoking the same mystical elegance that captured and captivated many traders and travellers throughout history.
As we conclude our journey through the intriguing history of saffron, we can only say that this remarkable spice has left an enduring mark on the tapestry of human civilization. From ancient rituals to medicine, art and cuisine, the alluring legacy of saffron remains, and it is a testament to its enduring power in shaping history, culture, and tradition.