This is wonderful, Jessica, thank you! Living in the desert here where I am, I'd always thought of saffron as something truly exotic. How lovely would that be to walk a street covered with the blooms? And as much as I'd really love to try the confection of saffron, I'm thinking it would cost a few grand to make. Might be worth it, though! 😁
This has me doing a happy dance!! I love all the stories & myths surrounding saffron and humanity's relationship with it. Saffron is featured heavily in "Color: A Natural History of the Palette" by Victoria Finlay, and it just held me absolutely captivated.
Kristin, I'm really glad you enjoyed it! I was going to mention saffron's use as a dyestuff but I discussed it with my editor (my 18 year old son!) and we decided I should keep it lighthearted and not become too bogged down with information...because you're right, the stories and myths abound...one could write an entire Substack on the topic of saffron alone!
From my notes: 4,000 blossoms are required to create one ounce of dye...and, 1 part of crocin (the chemical responsible for the yellow dye derived from saffron) is capable of dying 150,000 parts water. Unbelievable! ♡
This is wonderful, Jessica, thank you! Living in the desert here where I am, I'd always thought of saffron as something truly exotic. How lovely would that be to walk a street covered with the blooms? And as much as I'd really love to try the confection of saffron, I'm thinking it would cost a few grand to make. Might be worth it, though! 😁
Yes, Jenna, I *still* think of it as a bit exotic even though I know it's easily cultivated right here in south-central PA! ♡
This has me doing a happy dance!! I love all the stories & myths surrounding saffron and humanity's relationship with it. Saffron is featured heavily in "Color: A Natural History of the Palette" by Victoria Finlay, and it just held me absolutely captivated.
Kristin, I'm really glad you enjoyed it! I was going to mention saffron's use as a dyestuff but I discussed it with my editor (my 18 year old son!) and we decided I should keep it lighthearted and not become too bogged down with information...because you're right, the stories and myths abound...one could write an entire Substack on the topic of saffron alone!
From my notes: 4,000 blossoms are required to create one ounce of dye...and, 1 part of crocin (the chemical responsible for the yellow dye derived from saffron) is capable of dying 150,000 parts water. Unbelievable! ♡