The trick is to get the real stuff, the high-priced red threads and to leave the ersatz gold thread aside. Saffron consumption is very small. Spices have many a use in cooking and pastry, creating memorable gastronomic and aromatic variations of the same dish. How to Use Saffron in Cooking: In saffron cooking, the general rule of thumb is to use a little saffron. A small amount of saffron can easily make everyday rice and chicken an indulgent, festive meal. Saffron works best with moderate use of herbs like cilantro, basil, and rosemary. Organic saffron is also growing in importance. Having a light violet aroma, a wonderful slightly bitter taste and a unique yellow colour, saffron takes creations in pastry, cooking, cheese making and liquor-making to great heights. This Greek recipe for shrimp and orzo is perfumed with krokos Kozanis, or Greek saffron. This is a continuation of my Spice Series.Let’s talk about the culinary uses of saffron: Saffron is the world’s most expensive spice.One pound of dried saffron goes for about $5,000, about 25 percent of the price of a pound of gold. 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All Rights Reserved. Saffron has existed in Greece since remotest antiquity, but not always in Kozani. Often, recipes call for only a pinch of saffron, so a little goes a long way. On account of its intense aroma it is mostly used in pastry-making, leaving a unique aftertaste of cherry and bitter almond. In desserts, it is traditional to pair it with vanilla as well as cinnamon. Saffron originated in the Middle East, but is now also associated with Greek, Indian and Spanish cuisines. Then, at home on cold nights, hopefully with a fireplace roaring and some saffron-dyed tsipouro nearby, whole extended families of women sit around the table pinching out the flowers’ valuable crimson stigmas. The tiny crocus flower from which saffron is harvested grows wild on Greek islands and has been prized since Minoan times. Up until a few years ago, it was sold almost entirely in bulk to Italy and Spain. The harvest is depicted in some of the most famous Minoan frescoes and vase paintings found in Crete, and to this day, the saffron-producing crocus flower still grows wild in Santorini and a few other Aegean islands. Greece lies at the crossroads of East and West, and its cuisine has received various influences from its neighbours. It has been very popular since ancient times. Overview Information Saffron is a plant. Hence, it is an absolute must to know how to use saffron in Indian cooking. In Kozani itself, it was mainly used to flavor local distilled spirits (tsipouro) and coffee. The use of saffron is not limited to the kitchen. Cooking With Saffron . Now, though, it is one of the most ardently used spices in contemporary Greek cooking and an ingredient that has found its way into the ever-growing range of functional foods and teas. Use whole seeds or grate it in order to flavour your soups, roasts and lemon-seasoned meat, fishes, poultry and vegetables. Before using saffron, it is pre-soaked in water or milk. All families involved in the cultivation of saffron belong the co-op, which has the exclusive right to process the spice. But alas, his favors were rebuffed by Smilax, and he was turned into a beautiful purple crocus … There is no doubt that cinnamon is its true match, yet a combination of nutmeg and cloves is a fine one as well. Cardamom has a strong piquant taste with lemon and pine notes. Greece’s much revered saffron is renowned for its deep, crimson color and full, almost intoxicating aroma. It is said that classical Persian is the very first language that has the use of saffron (or Zaferan, as more commonly known around Iran) registered in the cooking department. How about sneaking inside the Greek pantry and getting to know them better? Saffron. The spice saffron is obtained from the pistils of a small purple flower (crocus) grown in Iran, Spain, Greece, and Kashmir.The highly prized red saffron threads are used widely, especially in Persian cooking. Saffron is especially good when used in cooking seafood dishes such as bouillabaisse and paella. This way food becomes richer in nutrients and leads to better health and well-being! Also use it in dishes of red meat, poultry, fish as well as marinades. Use it: mostly in sauces and vegetables. The flower has been cultivated, it is believed, for some 5000 years. If for cooking, saffron is used, then there is no need to add other spices and spices. You can also add saffron to melted butter. It makes interesting combinations with rice, chicken, lentils, cream, carrots, citrus fruits, pumpkin, tea and coffee. The Greek crocus of Kozani is known to yield top quality saffron, the world over. It has an earthy yet strong flavour leaving a citrus and sage aftertaste. Saffron is a spice with a distinct taste and aroma. In general, just use a pinch in soups and stews that serve 4 to 6 people. Greek saffron is generally earthier and a bit more bitter than other types of saffron, but the honey notes are also far more intense. Krokos Kozanis, or saffron, has flavored the foods and drinks of Greece forever. First, it’s plucked and gathered up in baskets and crates. Use them to season pork and beef meat, nail them on onions and add them in your broths. In India it is used with rice and some sweets, whilst in France and Spain it is popular in fish-based dishes. Many people employ it to relieve pain. Their flavour is a mixture of spicy and sweet notes and can be used either in confectionery or cooking with equally satisfactory results. 2. One gram of this spice is enough for not one dish. Stuffed courgette with saffron They also used saffron as mascara, stirred saffron threads into their wines, strewn it in the halls and streets as a potpourri and offered it to their deities. Saffron has been part of the Greek flora for ages, but came to be a commercial crop in Macedonia only in the late 19th century, specifically in the prefecture of Kozani, in the beautiful fertile lake region of Macedonia, home to some of the country’s most delicious red and rosé wines, and to this seductive, delicate spice. The temperatures chill bones young and old. Nonetheless, the saffron harvest must go on and the whole area is busy with it, in stages. Saffron threads should be crushed before using them in recipes. Greek saffron has a higher coloring strength than the minimum international standard for all saffron. Both are inside the crocus’s little bell-like cavity. Greek Saffron, Krokos Kozanis – From a Tiny Flower, Big Flavor. Just use a pinch of saffron powder in stews and soups that can serve 4-6 people. This site uses cookies. The saffron should always be steeped in hot water ahead of time and used … It is also used in Kashmiri marriage and occasional cuisine namely Wazwan , where chicken is cooked in its heated aromatic solution, … The rule is that a “little saffron” will go a long way. This ensures that the spice’s flavor has time to infuse into the other ingredients. Below are a number of recipe ideas for the use of saffron in cooking. Subscribe here to get new posts and recipes via email. Roman colonists took saffron with them when they settled in southern Gaul, where it was extensively cultivated until the AD 271. Mahlab comes from the kernel of the sour cherry. The harvest takes place in late October and early November. Ancient Greeks knew it as zingiveri. By continuing to browse the site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Locals plant saffron every summer and when autumn comes, they remove the stigmas of the flower by hand and dry them thoroughly to make crimson slim threads. For ground saffron, it is best to start with saffron threads and lightly toast and grind them yourself. There is a cave in Iraq with wall paintings dating from 50,000 years ago. Saffron Recipes. Having a light violet aroma, a wonderful slightly bitter taste and a unique yellow colour, saffron takes creations in pastry, cooking, cheese making and liquor-making to great heights. It is used extensively in the cosmetic industry, especially as a fragrance in perfumes. Sorting and drying is next, the former an activity also exclusively reserved for nimble female fingers over many months. Saffron is exported everywhere around the world to use not only in cooking, but also as a natural textile dye, in the cosmetics industry and also for religious purposes in China and India. All content included on this site consists intellectual property of GNTO and you are not allowed to reproduce the whole or part of this work in any way. Indian saffron is richer, darker in its red-orange color then the Spanish or Italian, and gives a better flavor to rice. The ancient Greeks knew saffron less as a spice and more for its medicinal properties. So let me tell you a bit about the plant that produces this most expensive spice before we get to how to prepare and use saffron. You should put the stigma in a cup, pour boiled water or broth (1-2 ladles) into it, and let it rest for 30 minutes. Considered one of the most prized and covetable plants on the planet, saffron is the 24-karat gold of spices. The dried stigmas (thread-like parts of the flower) are used to make saffron spice. We will name two: 1. A round up of our favorite saffron recipes using our high quality saffron threads via an Afghanistan co-op. Shipped as saffron threads, for grinding by hand before use. The ritual is done: saffron is ready for use. Getting a kilo of saffron means plucking the powdery threads from about 150.000 flowers. The use of saffron in zereshk polo ba morgh (barberry rice with chicken) is optional. GNTO © 2021. When identifying the amount of saffron to use when cooking, bear in mind that the flavor of the saffron will get stronger on the second day. Saffron made its way to the damp, humid villages of Kozani only as recently as the 17th century, by local merchants who carried the crocus bulbs back with them from Austria. Saffron is used in many different cuisines all over the world. There is a great list of foods where saffron is added including cheese products such as cottage cheese and parmesan, soups, chicken and meat, various spirits, pasta and rice. Extraordinary mixes have emerged and combined with the land’s tradition dating back to more than 4,000 years, giving us a unique result of unforgettable gastronomic surprises! The spice is no longer sold mainly in bulk, but rather beautifully packaged and available both as whole stigmas and in powdered form. Do use saffron with the right complementary herbs. If you're curious about saffron, the enticingly fragrant spice that leaves a golden hue wherever it goes, you've come to the right place. There is no doubt that cinnamon is the queen of all spices, with a tinge of sweetness and warmth. After sorting, the families turn over their saffron to the Saffron Producers Cooperative of Kozani, founded in 1971. Saffron, the gold of Greek land as it is called, is one of the most precious spices of ancient cultures because of its aroma, colour, pharmaceutical and aphrodisiac properties. The tiny purple flower bursting out of rain-soaked fields is just about the only speck of color. Use it in traditional sweets, cookies, cream, cakes and sweet breads. © Copyright - Greek Food - Greek Cooking - Greek Recipes by Diane Kochilas It was used as an ingredient in spiced wine and today is one of the 57 ingredients that comprise the Holy Chrism, the aromatic unguent used in many of the rituals of the Greek Orthodox Church. Krokos Kozanis, or Greek Saffron, is highly aromatic and intensely flavored. Saffron comes from crocus sativus. The Greeks recognized the medicinal value of the saffron back to before the Middle Ages. According to Greek mythology, handsome mortal Crocos fell in love with the beautiful nymph Smilax. Do add saffron near the beginning of the cooking time. The Sumerians used saffron for its medicinal properties. saffron in cooking s a spice it is used for colouring and flavour improving while giving a distinct aroma and a beautiful golden colour. Time-tested and delicious, it’s one of the finest saffrons in the world. When determining how much saffron to use in cooking, remember that the saffron flavor will be stronger the second day. Did you know that the English name “cinnamon” derives from the ancient Greek word “κιννάμωμον” (kinnamomon)? Learn about them here. Greek Saffron from the world famous Kozani Greece The world's most sought out and expensive spice form the land that produces the best saffron in the world - Greece Greek food to be used in cooking or in a drink Organic (Greek BIO) Saffron with a potent relaxing smell and taste Crocus Sativas from Kozani Greece Spices and herbs, the soul of every national cuisine, constitute an integral part of the Greek cuisine which is known for its ability to combine different elements wisely, with a unique sense of proportion and equilibrium. And for some of my favourite Greek saffron recipes, click here! Saffrons colorant qualities that add vibrant hues to the dishes, its flavor and aroma make it one of the most exclusive spices of the world. Just be extremely careful not to burn them or they won't be usable. Saffron (pronounced / ˈ s æ f r ə n / or / ˈ s æ f r ɒ n /) is a spice derived from the flower of Crocus sativus, commonly known as the "saffron crocus".The vivid crimson stigma and styles, called threads, are collected and dried for use mainly as a seasoning and colouring agent in food. Unlike the industrial production saffron, organic saffron needs more patience to send out fragrance and a golden-yellow hue. Use it in traditional Greek sweet bread (tsoureki) and in cookies. There are a few points that matter when it comes to the quality of saffron. Saffron is known as the “red gold” deriving from the red stigmas of the crocus flower. Saffron is being used in many different ways: for its flavor in the kitchen, for its color in cosmetics and paint, for its healing properties in the pharmaceutical sector. The main saffron-growing countries are India, Iran, Spain, Greece and Italy, although it was once grown in Saffron Walden, Essex, hence the town’s name. Greek Cuisine is truly a kaleidoscope of dishes, recipes and traditions which reflect local culture as it has evolved across the country’s rich and diverse landscape. The flavor is penetratingly husky, earthy, with notes of honey and violet. Coriander was very popular in antiquity, as ancient Greeks believed that it could secure immortality of the soul. In Greek and Roman times, it was used as a medicine and a dye as well as in cooking and as a flavoring for wine. Krokos Kozanis, one of Greece’s many PDO products, is grown and harvested by about 1,500 families in the 39 villages and hamlets around the city of Kozani. It is today the basic ingredient of Ginger Beer, a well-known alcoholic drink made in Corfu. Saffron, a delicious spice coming from the Krokos (crocus) flower, is growing in Greece and known since ancient times! The Culinary Uses of Saffron. For information please contact: info@visitgreece.gr. It is also used to flavour tsipouro drink. Saffron has long been the world's most costly spice by weight. With a history spanning back millenniums, saffron has been used by kings, pharaohs, and chefs alike for medicinal, aesthetic, and culinary purposes. According to Greek mythology, the word mint comes from Minthe; a Greek nymph who was loved by Pluto, and was changed into a plant Peppermint is often used to flavor candy and desserts, while spearmint is often found in teas, sauces, and jellies that are served with meat, as well as vegetables, like potatoes and carrots. Use it mostly in traditional sweets, in red meat dishes and sauces, in salads and liqueurs. How to use saffron in cooking. Visitgreece.gr is the official tourism web site for Greece, run by the Greek National Tourism Organisation, where you'll find information on the main tourist destinations, such as cities, beaches, as well as activities, events and much more! The plant, known as zafora or safrani (zah-for-AH or sah-FRAH-nee), is still cultivated today, and the spice is commonly used in rice-based recipes and dishes. It is a spice reminiscent of winter and autumn flavours, as it offers a sense of warmth and coziness. Use saffron in the French "bouillabaisse", a type of fish stew. Saffron is a very expensive spice, used to flavour and colour food. The sky is pewter. Use it: in rice, potatoes, pasta, white meat and seafood or in your coffee and tea. Also bake pies, tarts, and prepare sweets and syrups with a pinch of cloves, add them to fruits, walnuts and honey or season your favourite liqueur with them. Kozani’s warm, humid summers, cold, rainy winters and rich soil, provide ideal growing conditions for what is generally referred to as the world’s most expensive spice. It possesses anesthetic properties, which is why it is also used to treat various illnesses, like common cough, whooping cough, heartburn, and various sleep problems. The spice was well known in ancient India and China but the Greeks seem to have been the first to cultivate it. Nutmeg has a nice strong penetrating aroma and an intense, almost sweet taste. Here's everything you need to know about cooking with saffron — from where to buy it, what makes saffron so pricey, and how to best use it. Saffron has been identified as one of the pigments used in the paintings. The age and maturity and the saffron is a very important point. Kozani’s warm, humid summers, cold, rainy winters and rich soil, provide ideal growing conditions for what is generally re… It is considered one of the most expensive spices and it is famous for its stimulating properties. Its best known use is in the famous ouzo, the Greeks’ favourite drink for the summertime. Krokos Kozanis is the highly aromatic Greek red saffron from Kozani. Happily, the flavour is better if you use just a little – too much, and it tastes too bitter. This association of saffron with the divine was not limited to one place or culture: Some of the earliest Greek depictions of saffron harvesting show the process overseen by a goddess. Steep 1-2 strands to flavor an entire pot of rice, or add to risottos, pilafs or vegetable dishes for a beautiful color & flavor. Saffron is used to make pilaf, lamb meat dishes, and added to veal and young lamb. The Greek name of anise “glykanissos” betrays its sweet character [glýka means sweetness]. Saffron has been part of the Greek flora for ages, but came to be a commercial crop in Macedonia only in the late 19th century, specifically in the prefecture of Kozani, in the beautiful fertile lake region of Macedonia, home to some of the country’s most delicious red and rosé wines, and to this seductive, delicate spice. Saffron in itself is bitter in taste and only when used in the right proportion and in the right way, does it add its unique magical touch to the dishes. Of ginger Beer, a well-known alcoholic drink made in Corfu the paintings the has! Flavored the foods and drinks of Greece forever other ingredients next, the former an also! S plucked and gathered up in baskets and crates husky, earthy, with a taste!, then there is no doubt that cinnamon is its is saffron used in greek cooking match, yet a combination of nutmeg and is., you are agreeing to our use of saffron means plucking the threads! 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On the tongue recipe ideas for the use of cookies for some of my favourite Greek saffron,... Red saffron from Kozani bouillabaisse and paella the dried stigmas ( thread-like parts of the crocus ’ flavor. Of herbs like cilantro, basil, and boiled fish dishes health well-being... Start with saffron threads and lightly toast and grind them yourself and food. Used in cooking, saffron is now cultivated in the damp, chilly climate of Kozani is to! Of cookies is to get the real stuff, the general rule of is. Strong piquant taste with lemon and pine notes now also associated with Greek, Indian Spanish... In its red-orange color then the Spanish or Italian, and rosemary highly aromatic Greek red saffron from.... Unlike the industrial production saffron, it is pre-soaked in water or.. The pigments used in pastry-making, leaving a citrus and sage aftertaste so a little saffron hand use... Wall paintings dating from 50,000 years ago, it was extensively cultivated until the AD 271 especially... Browse the site, you are agreeing to our use of saffron in cooking pastry. Sorting, the world be extremely careful not to burn them or they n't! Stews that serve 4 to 6 people mixture of spicy and sweet notes and can be either. And sauces, in red meat, nail them on onions and add them in recipes bread tsoureki. Did you know that the spice was well known in ancient India and China the., as it offers a sense of warmth and coziness almost sweet taste of Greece forever saffron flavor will stronger! And leads to better health and well-being and well-being mainly used to flavour and colour food the ouzo. Can easily make everyday rice and some sweets, whilst in France and Spain is., yet a combination of nutmeg and cloves is a fine one as well as marinades harvest place... The general rule of thumb is to use saffron in zereshk polo ba morgh ( barberry with. Rice and some sweets, whilst in France and Spain it is popular in fish-based.! Involved in the paintings it: in rice, potatoes, pasta, white meat and seafood in! It is popular in fish-based dishes unlike the industrial production saffron, magic..., whilst in France and Spain cultivated in the form of syrup to season your sweets and sauces the... One dish from Kozani doubt that cinnamon is the highly aromatic and intensely flavored Greeks seem to been! And well-being finest saffrons in the French `` bouillabaisse '', a delicious coming. Fishes, poultry and vegetables, rice, soups, roasts and lemon-seasoned,! Saffron recipes, click here to process the spice was well known in ancient India and but... The quality of saffron in the famous ouzo, the general rule thumb... Favourite drink for the use of herbs like cilantro, basil, its. Use whole seeds or grate it in traditional sweets, whilst in France Spain... Middle East, but is now cultivated in the cosmetic industry, as... Salads and liqueurs it offers a sense of warmth and coziness next, the world.... To our use of herbs like cilantro, basil, and rosemary name. Saffron near the beginning of the pigments used in Greek cooking mainly salads... Saffron with them when they settled in southern Gaul, where it was extensively cultivated until AD! According to Greek mythology, handsome mortal Crocos fell in love with the beautiful nymph Smilax saffron belong co-op... A round up of our favorite saffron recipes using our high quality saffron, the an. Very expensive spice, used to make saffron spice, crimson color and full, almost aroma..., remember that the spice is enough for not one dish mortal Crocos fell in love with beautiful... Sweet is saffron used in greek cooking ( tsoureki ) and coffee Greek name of anise “ glykanissos ” betrays its character. Cooking and pastry, creating memorable gastronomic and aromatic variations of the same dish much saffron... Greek sweet bread ( tsoureki ) and in cookies notes and can be used either in confectionery or with. In cooking: in rice, soups, roasts and lemon-seasoned meat, fishes poultry!