Saffron Plant
Crocus sativus, the saffron plant, is propagated through underground stems called corms.
It is thought to be a native of Greece, and grows best under Mediterranean climate conditions. Today, Iran grows nearly 90% of the world's saffron. The flower of the plant has three bright crimson stigmata, which are handpicked when ready and carefully dried for the commercial saffron. Besides adding flavor to food, saffron has many other uses. Ancient Indian medical texts prescribed it for disorders of the nervous system. More recent clinical trials have shown that the administration of 30 mg saffron every day had a significant anti-depressant effect (Toth et al., Planta Medica. 2019;85). Some of its chemical constituents have been shown to possess anti-cancer properties.
India produces 5% of the world's saffron. Historically, some of the world's most prized saffron has been grown in old lake beds of Kashmir. The temperate climate of Jammu and Kashmir is well-suited with a well-drained soil of high pH value (6.3 to 8.3), summer temperatures (when flowers develop) of around 25°C and good soil nutrient availability.
India produces 5% of the world's saffron. Historically, some of the world's most prized saffron has been grown in old lake beds of Kashmir. The temperate climate of Jammu and Kashmir is well-suited with a well-drained soil of high pH value (6.3 to 8.3), summer temperatures (when flowers develop) of around 25°C and good soil nutrient availability.
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