Lecture by Alan Chadwick in New Market, Virginia, 1979
Lecture 28.1, Herb Study: Crocus, Part 1
An Introduction to Alan Chadwick's Lectures and a Glossary of Terms
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Saffron is the culinary product extracted from the crocus plant. It grows from a corm and blooms from August to October.It prefers a sandy turf loam with plenty of moisture. It has dangerous narcotic properties. Mentioned in the Song of Songs, so its use goes back to the earliest periods of human history. Over-use causes blindness and heart problems. Can be grown from seed, but it is much faster to purchase corms. Produces approximately two pounds of saffron from one acre of cultivated plants. Sixty thousand stigma are required to produce one pound of saffron. Since ancient times saffron has been used as a yellow dye. (18:25)