The plants fare poorly in shady conditions; they grow best in full sunlight. Fields that slope towards the sunlight are optimal (i.e., south-sloping in the Northern Hemisphere). Planting is mostly done in June in the Northern Hemisphere, where corms are lodged 7–15cm (3–6in) deep; its roots, stems, and leaves can develop between October and February. [18] Planting depth and corm spacing, in concert with climate, are critical factors in determining yields. Mother corms planted deeper yield higher-quality saffron, though they form fewer flower buds and daughter corms. Italian growers optimise thread yield by planting 15cm (6in) deep and in rows 2–3cm ( 3⁄ 4– 1 + 1⁄ 4in) apart; depths of 8–10cm (3–4in) optimise flower and corm production. Greek, Moroccan, and Spanish growers employ distinct depths and spacings that suit their locales. Rau, S. R. (1969), The Cooking of India, Foods of the World, Time-Life Books, ISBN 978-0-8094-0069-0 Hill, T. (2004), The Contemporary Encyclopedia of Herbs and Spices: Seasonings for the Global Kitchen (1sted.), Wiley, ISBN 978-0-471-21423-6 Saffron contains some 28 volatile and aroma-yielding compounds, dominated by ketones and aldehydes. [36] Its main aroma-active compounds are safranal – the main compound responsible for saffron aroma – 4-ketoisophorone, and dihydrooxophorone. [35] [36] Saffron also contains nonvolatile phytochemicals, [37] including the carotenoids zeaxanthin, lycopene, various α- and β- carotenes, as well as crocetin and its glycoside crocein, which are the most biologically active components. [35] [38] Because crocetin is smaller and more water-soluble than the other carotenoids, it is more rapidly absorbed. [38]

Saffron was a notable ingredient in certain Roman recipes such as jusselle and conditum. [100] [101] [102] [103] Such was the Romans' love of saffron that Roman colonists took it with them when they settled in southern Gaul, where it was extensively cultivated until Rome's fall. With this fall, European saffron cultivation plummeted. Competing theories state that saffron only returned to France with 8th-century AD Moors or with the Avignon papacy in the 14th century AD. [104] Similarly, the spread of Islamic civilisation may have helped reintroduce the crop to Spain and Italy. [105]

Way, A. (1843). Promptorium parvulorum sive clericorum, lexicon Anglo-Latinum princeps, recens. A. Way. Camden soc. p.268 . Retrieved 18 May 2016. Hassan, Firdous (19 February 2020). "Farmers Pitch For GI Tag For Kashmiri Saffron, World's Most Expensive Spice". www.indiaspend.com . Retrieved 11 March 2022. a b Fierberg, Emma. "Why saffron is the world's most expensive spice". Business Insider . Retrieved 12 January 2020. a b authors, Wiki- (4 October 2020). "How to Use Saffron". FOOD AND ENTERTAINING – HERBS AND SPICES. wikiHow . Retrieved 9 March 2021. Fotedar, S. (1999). "Cultural Heritage of India: The Kashmiri Pandit Contribution". Vitasta. Kashmir Sabha of Kolkata. 32 (1): 128. Archived from the original on 29 September 2011 . Retrieved 15 September 2011.

Another is the "Mongra" or "Lacha" saffron of Kashmir ( Crocus sativus 'Cashmirianus'), which is among the most difficult for consumers to obtain. [55] Repeated droughts, blights, and crop failures in Kashmir combined with an Indian export ban, contribute to its prohibitive overseas prices. Kashmiri saffron is recognizable by its dark maroon-purple hue, making it among the world's darkest. [56] In 2020, Kashmir Valley saffron was certified with a geographical indication from the Government of India. [57] World production [ edit ] Saffron market in Mashad, IranVerma, Ranjit Singh; Middha, Deepak (2010), "Analysis of Saffron (Crocus sativus L. Stigma) Components by LC–MS–MS", Chromatographia, 71: 117–123, doi: 10.1365/S10337-009-1398-Z a b Hosseini A, Razavi BM, Hosseinzadeh H (2018). "Pharmacokinetic Properties of Saffron and its Active Components". European Journal of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics. 43 (4): 383–390. doi: 10.1007/s13318-017-0449-3. PMID 29134501. S2CID 23836415. In recent years, saffron adulterated with the colouring extract of gardenia fruits has been detected in the European market. This form of fraud is difficult to detect due to the presence of flavonoids and crocines in the gardenia-extracts similar to those naturally occurring in saffron. Detection methods have been developed by using HPLC and mass spectrometry to determine the presence of geniposide, a compound present in the fruits of gardenia, but not in saffron. [51] Types [ edit ]