Saffron is a plant from the lily family that has medicinal properties and is used to flavor and color foods in Iran.
This plant is produced in different cities of Iran and is one of the products and souvenirs of Iran.
At first, saffron was special for Razavi Khorasan and South Khorasan provinces, but later it was also used in other parts of Iran. If we want to know the best place in Iran for saffron, we should search in Khorasan province. Because the best type of saffron has belonged to this region since the beginning.
This area has a lot of saffron cultivation and saffron is named after one of these cities.
About the saffron plant
Saffron is a perennial plant that grows to a height of 30 cm. The saffron plant has purple flowers with six petals.
Saffron flowers have three stamens and a pistil leading to a red three-branched stigma. The part used in this plant is the end of the cream and the three-branched stigma, which is known as saffron and has a fragrant color.
Saffron is a plant that is called red gold due to its great value and is the main income of people in the cities of Khorasan.
Saffron is a plant that can grow in harsh living conditions. This plant needs water only at the beginning of November and rain and snow are enough for it until the beginning of spring.
Saffron is a plant that does not involve any special cost in terms of transportation and is economical. This plant has nutritional and medicinal properties and is of great interest due to its limited cultivation in Iran.
Cultivation of this plant is the occupation of most of the people of Khorasan region and it plays a special role in the life of the people of Northeast Iran. Saffron has medicinal properties, and its most important feature is its happiness, which is considered a medicine against depression and is used as a natural and herbal medicine to soothe the nerves.
The history of saffron
The history of saffron cultivation in Iran dates back to ancient times. Then it was taken from Iran to Greece and Rome. During the Parthian period, Iranian saffron was exported to Rome, and later, during the Mongol period, Iranian saffron was exported to China, and China became one of Iran’s saffron customers.
It is said that during the Sassanid period, saffron became common in Qom. During the Islamic period, saffron was brought to Arab countries and the countries around the Mediterranean also got to know the way of its cultivation.
At first, Iran was the only exporter of saffron in the world, but in recent years, other countries have also entered the saffron business. In the new era, Spain is considered as a competitor to Iran and one of the exporters of saffron.
The UAE has also become one of the exporters of saffron without cultivating saffron. In addition, many countries such as Afghanistan, India, etc. have become active in the field of saffron trade.
Saffron cultivation is common in various cities of Razavi Khorasan Province, including Zaveh, Torbat Heydarieh, Torbat Jam, Taibad, Bakhzer, Gonabad, Neishabur, Bejestan, and this province has taken the first place in saffron cultivation.
In South Khorasan province, the cities of Qaynat, Ferdous, Beshroieh and Birjand can be mentioned. South Khorasan province has the second place in saffron cultivation in Iran after Razavi Khorasan province. In terms of quality of saffron, South Khorasan province is the first, but in terms of quantity, it is the second region after Razavi Khorasan.
After Khorasan province, we can mention the provinces of Kerman, Lorestan, Fars, etc., which have recently become active in the field of saffron cultivation.
Out of about 230 tons of saffron that is produced every year in the world, about 170 tons are related to Khorasan. Among all the cities that are engaged in saffron cultivation in Razavi Khorasan and South Khorasan provinces, Qain has taken the lead from other cities in terms of fame and is known as the saffron capital of Iran.
Chamber of Commerce of South Khorasan Province has mentioned the history of saffron cultivation in Qain for about 700 years. Currently, Qain saffron ranks first in the world in terms of quality. In recent years, many knowledge-based companies are active in the field of saffron in South Khorasan and Qain province, and by participating in different countries and participating in global and export markets, they are trying to improve the export position of Qain saffron in the world.
Currently, Qain is a well-known global brand, and this is why it is packaged and sold under the Qain brand in many places in Iran where saffron is grown.
One of the problems that the people of the small towns of South Khorasan have in terms of exporting saffron abroad is the lack of access to direct foreign flights. Farmers who are active in the field of saffron cultivation, load their products from cities that have direct foreign flights.
Some farmers consider this as a reason for the use of other intermediaries to use the high-quality brand of South Khorasan cities for saffron from other countries.
Cultivation of saffron in Qain and other cities of South Khorasan province is known as the main source of income for the residents of these cities, and they have been engaged in this field for many years and earn a living in this way.
In the past years, tours were organized in this province in the field of saffron tourism. These tours were aimed at familiarizing tourists with the region and saffron of this province, which was well received. Through the export of saffron from these cities, Iran has taken the first place among the world’s exporters of saffron.
Saffron is one of the items that has a special place in the field of foreign exchange in Iran. Tourists traveling to South Khorasan and Qain can bring the red gold of this land as a souvenir.
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