Saffron History and Mediterranean Traditions

Saffron has marked European history with many important traditions. This has left a vibrant color on various aspects of European culture through the ages. This golden spice called Saffron has been a spectator. It has also been a participant in many events that speak of the vibrant cultural, artistic and royal heritage of Europe. 

Egyptian Saffron Use

 

Saffron has a variety of properties besides giving a yellow look to your dish. As per the research of hundreds of years of historical research and archaeological data, saffron was widely used during the time of Egypt's classical civilization. Its color and smell plays an important role and it gave refined life of the ancient Egyptians. It's a spice to be adored and treasured used in drinks, food, and baths! Because of saffron antiseptic and bacterial fighting properties it also served the purpose to embalm and dye shrouds where mummies are kept. The great Egyptians who are considered by many to be the most intriguing of all classical civilizations lived and died by Saffron, not only did they revel in it's glories in life but also in death.

Saffron Use in Ancient European History

 

It started a long time before 1600 BC from the painting in the palace of Minos. All the features of young saffron are easy to depict from the ancient history. It's clear that the tradition of planting and cultivating saffron existed before it was painted on the Minoan wall depicting a monkey doing all the hard work of collecting the saffron threads over 3600 years ago!

Later as Europe grew in culture and great cities formed, it served as a favorite dye in Athens as well as Rome. According to the Greek, Saffron was a sensual fragrance. So they scattered it in a lot of places like their royal baths, courtyard theaters and many more.

In order to welcome Nero as emperor of Rome, they sprinkled saffron all over the cobbled stone roads and showed their respect by laying it on the ground Nero traversed. The Romans even used it as a hair dye. The extent of use in Europe and it's deep rooted history clearly depicts how important it was to the fabric of society in Ancient Europe. 

Saffron Health Benefits

 

Along with cooking benefits, saffron gives a range of health benefits also. It maintains the level of blood cholesterol, strengthens the heart, soothes cough and bronchitis, gives relief from cramps and insomnia, brightens the mood and serves as a important preventative for developing cancer, and auto immune diseases that attack your body by causing inflammation. 

Taliouine Saffron Fields

So it's important to use the best quality of saffron on which a person can obtain. Saffron is a source of pride because it is powerful, and has a long history of being adored by national leaders the World over. When buying saffron make sure that you buy it from companies that employ true and hard working farmers who cultivate the best saffron. Its ancient history shows the usefulness and its power to cure a variety of problems. It's been said that some of the best Saffron comes from a small Moroccan village called Taliouine. Taliouine has a long rich history of being the most treasured Saffron producer for Northern Africa. The culture of Saffron was transplanted from Northern Africa to Spain when the country was overrun by the Moors in the year 711 AD. Saffron is one tradition that breathes of Spanish identity and can be found in all the signature hallmarks of a fine Spanish dish.

Stop wasting time. Simply buy the best saffron and start to receive the benefits for long term vitality. Enjoy the taste of Saffron the World's most famous spice with the sweet reputation of being the golden spice and lead a healthy life!