and the "saffron" that's worth a small fortune is the two or three red threads in the centre of the flower - quite sad to see a huge basketfull of petals pulled off to harvest a tiny amount of saffron!
In Roman times, globe artichokes were grown commercially in Britain; it was warmer then I believe and that would apply also to saffron, I think the climate became colder from the 14th century on.
I only once ever bought saffron; added it to the meal I was cooking and to my palate it made no difference in flavour at all. I think it may be more expensive than gold.
well I've had absolutely nothing from them! Wanted to grow them for the saffron for myself but found that calendula is quite similar in taste and smell and much easier to grow!
I shall give them to my granny who lives further south and see what she can do with them
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and the "saffron" that's worth a small fortune is the two or three red threads in the centre of the flower - quite sad to see a huge basketfull of petals pulled off to harvest a tiny amount of saffron!
karma, I would say you are too far north to make a fortune on saffron out of doors.
I used to live in Saffron Walden which had a major saffron industry in the past. I couldn't get saffron to grow there though.
I'm told that Gold Street, named for the saffron, was feet deep in discarded petals at harvest time. Might be a myth
In the sticks near Peterborough
have a look at this video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mna7iUIP2fM
Might help
Clueless
In Roman times, globe artichokes were grown commercially in Britain; it was warmer then I believe and that would apply also to saffron, I think the climate became colder from the 14th century on.
well those are the petals...
and these are the flowers growing in stony ground in France
is this what you are expecting?
I only once ever bought saffron; added it to the meal I was cooking and to my palate it made no difference in flavour at all. I think it may be more expensive than gold.
no offence taken Edd - just saddens me to see that large basket of beautiful purple petals against the tiny dish of red strands
saffron jelly if very nice - it is basically an apple jelly flavoured and coloured with saffron
I think the Romans mainly wanted the colouring, and one of the usual source for yellow was onion skins, so not to good in a sweeter dish!
Yes Edd and Turmeric is supposed to be very good for you
well I've had absolutely nothing from them! Wanted to grow them for the saffron for myself but found that calendula is quite similar in taste and smell and much easier to grow!
I shall give them to my granny who lives further south and see what she can do with them