Thematic Timeline Project #3: Trade

1. By: Srishti Mishra, Noga Baruch ,and Nathan Trivers Thematic Timeline Project #3: Trade

2. Saffron- the dried yellow stigmas of the violet flowers of Crocus sativus, a member of the Iris family. The stigmas must be harvested by hand, and it takes 225,000 of them to make one pound of saffron. • Rich yellow color • Strong perfume • bitter honey-like taste • Taste is pleasantly spicy and bitter • The odor is tenacious Description

3. Saffron is native to the Mediterranean and is grown in Spain, France, Portugal, India and Italy. Spain is considered the premium source of saffron. Its flavor is distinctive and agreeable in character. • Saffron is the most expensive spice in the world. The ancient Assyrians used saffron for medicinal purposes. The Greeks and Romans used it to perfume their luxurious baths. The bright orange-yellow color also made saffron useful as a dye. Origins & folklore

4. History of saffron spices traces back over 4000 years and involves many civilizations, countries, and cultures. Saffron began being used in the middle east and then branched out to conquer hearts worldwide. It has been used as a food seasoning, perfume, hair and clothes dye, and as a medicinal herb. Researchers have shown through historic documents that saffron has its origin in the Zargos mountain range in Iran HISTORY OF SAFFRON

5. Cultivation of saffron became prevalent in North Africa and Iranian ethnic groups played a very constructive role in conveyance and transfer of culture of planting and cultivating saffron. Historical documentations and evidences indicate that from the old times, Iranians were deeply interested in cultivating and planting saffron eagerly. Since its initial use at the beginning of its history, right up until today saffron spice has remained the most expensive spice known in the world.  History of saffron (cont. 2)

6. Saffron was quite popular among the Phoenician traders, who carried it wherever they traveled. The ancient Assyrians used saffron for medical purposes. • The saffron harvest from the town Soli, located on the Mediterranean coast, was the highest in value, especially for its use in fragrances and medicinal creams. • For some 4000 years people have been willing to buy saffron for very high prices due to the rarity of the spice. The rarity of the spice is directly linked to the labor intensive production process. History of saffron (contd. 3)

7. PICTURES of saffron and its use in foods

8. More pictures of saffron and its uses and importance

9. MAPS Saffron reached many places through many trade routes Indian Ocean trade Mediterranean Silk Road European trade

10. SAFFRON’s influence

11. Saffron is mainly used as a colorant and flavoring for cheeses, pastry, rice and seafood dishes. • Saffron is popularly used in spice blends for the following ethnic dishes from around the world: -paella: Spanish dish consisting of mainly rice and seafood -curry: a side dish that pairs well with rice; typically found in Asian countries - kheer: common Indian dessert -bouillabaisse: seafood stew USES OF SAFFRON

12. Being sterile, the plant's purple flowers fail to produce viable seeds Reproduction depends on human assistance Corms - underground bulb-like starch-storing organs - must be dug up, broken apart, and replanted - survives for one season, reproducing via this division into up to ten "cormlets" that yield new plants PROCESS OF OBTAINING SAFFRON

13. PICUTURES OF OBTAINING SAFFRON (up to modern times)

14. Studies show that ultrasonication increased the extraction yield significantly and reduced the processing time. • Ultrasonication is the use of ultrasound waves to sonic ate material at high intensities to create bubbles in between the material being used • these bubbles will evntually build up to a point when they burst causing everything to collapse violently. TECHNOLOGY CONTRIBUTION

15. EXAMPLE OF ULTRASONIFICIATION

16. Saffron was extremely expensive and mostly used by the rich for food, but mainly for decoration and to express their wealth. It was sowed onto their clothes, poured in their wine, thrown around like potpourri, and they even bathed in it. It was worth its weight in gold, therefore merchants often tried to steal it or to imitate it, or even adulterated it, make it impure, so it'll be cheaper and sold to a broader audience.   Government punished merchants who practiced this. Henry the 8th even threatened execution because he loved saffron so much GOVERNMENT ACTIONS ON SAFFRON

17. Adulteration was first documented in Europe's Middle Ages. • when those found selling adulterated saffron were executed under the Safranschou code. • Currently, India has banned the export of high-grade saffron to countries abroad. • However the India-Pakistan conflict makes Kashmir an exception. • Kashmiri farmers combine the high-grade saffron with cheaper Iranian exports. • This has cost them much of their income. More GOVERNMENT ACTIONS ON SAFFRON

18. Saffron is a stigma from a flower that is highly prized for its unique taste, color, and other uses It influenced various aspects throughout history including art, religion, and social structures. Saffron was mostly used to divide the rich and the poor. CONCLUSION

19. Nathan: Slides 2-7 and Slide 9 Srishti: Slides 1, 11-15, 17, and 18 Noga: Slides 8-10, 13,16, and 18 Project credits