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18-01-2007, 06:32 PM
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saffron
This is going to sound awfully pretentious, but I bought some saffron in Turkey two years ago, and have not yet used it all up! It's beging to go dark so I don't think it keeps too long (well two years anyway).
However, thinking of the future and the fact that I wil not fly again, I know it used to be grown in Saffron Walden, but which sort of crocus does one need, and would it be feasible to grow sufficient for use, or would you need acres and acres? Does anyone have any information?
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Regards, Jane What sane person could live in this world and not be crazy? The creative adult is the child who has survived. Ursula LeGuin http://www.etribes.com/madderbat     
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18-01-2007, 06:51 PM
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All I know is the old adage that weight for weight it is more expensive than gold!
I'm sure that if you google it you will find out if it is a special species. Giving the size of the flower and how many you could squeeze in per square yard I wouldn't have thought it would need too much space to grow enough for one family? Certainly make an interesting crop, and talking point though! 
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My Majesty made for him a garden anew in order to present to him vegetables and all beautiful flowers.- Offerings of Thutmose III to Amon-Ra (1500 BCE)
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18-01-2007, 07:37 PM
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Hi.
If you search seeds/bulbs on ebay, you may find saffron crocus bulbs. I've seen them on there and they really are a pretty flower. If i remember right, they are not too dear, but can't remember how many bulbs you get in a pack. Kirsty
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18-01-2007, 09:22 PM
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Hello Madderbat, sorry but you can't grow your safron here.. You might struggle to grow the crocus required, but you'd need acres to get any kind of a crop. The reason why it's so expensive. Sorry to hear you won't be able to fly again. The best answer is to get a friend to bring you some from somewhere - or a gardening friend from the Vine. I'm going to Tunisia in March so if I can help you from there, let me know.
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From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs.
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18-01-2007, 09:39 PM
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I think I have enough for this year as I foolishly bought a big potful from the market at Side in Turkey, but didn't realise it doesn't last forever! Thinking of forward planning really, so may post with requests next year 
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Regards, Jane What sane person could live in this world and not be crazy? The creative adult is the child who has survived. Ursula LeGuin http://www.etribes.com/madderbat
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18-01-2007, 09:41 PM
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Quote:
__________________
Regards, Jane What sane person could live in this world and not be crazy? The creative adult is the child who has survived. Ursula LeGuin http://www.etribes.com/madderbat
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18-01-2007, 09:42 PM
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I live near by Saffron Walden & bought my friend some saffron crocus bulbs from the local tourist office as a gift... can always check to see if they have any at the mo
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How can a woman be expected to be happy with a man who insists on treating her as if she were a perfectly normal human being.” 
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18-01-2007, 09:48 PM
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All the best
__________________
Regards, Jane What sane person could live in this world and not be crazy? The creative adult is the child who has survived. Ursula LeGuin http://www.etribes.com/madderbat
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21-01-2007, 06:46 PM
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Sorry, haven't been on line for a few days - will probably be in Walden on Tues - will try to remember to go in and ask.
__________________
How can a woman be expected to be happy with a man who insists on treating her as if she were a perfectly normal human being.”
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21-01-2007, 08:29 PM
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Like you Madderbat I also bought a heap back from Turkey a few years back. It was just so cheap on the market. It still colours the dish, but I don't think there's any taste from it (is there ever any taste?)
I'm looking at doing a trek either in Turkey or Morocco perhaps in April, so could always bring a bit back. Anybody know what is else is good to bring back from these parts? And which has a reasonable shelf life!
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21-01-2007, 09:07 PM
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Quote:
__________________
Regards, Jane What sane person could live in this world and not be crazy? The creative adult is the child who has survived. Ursula LeGuin http://www.etribes.com/madderbat
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21-01-2007, 09:16 PM
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We're still growing 'Beit Alpha' cucumbers that are from a Turkish seed pkt from a market stall in North Cyprus, you get half-size cukes just like in the Med! Tasty.
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Manda. Yet Nature is made better by no mean But Nature makes that mean; so over that art Which you say adds to Nature, is an art That Nature makes.
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21-01-2007, 09:28 PM
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Yes, I brought some seeds back from Crete too, big tomatoes, spinach, peppers, and a few other things I couldn't understand the names of! Will give them a go and see what happens
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Regards, Jane What sane person could live in this world and not be crazy? The creative adult is the child who has survived. Ursula LeGuin http://www.etribes.com/madderbat
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21-01-2007, 09:39 PM
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Hello Jennie, Yes Safron does have a taste - very subtle but distinctive. Most noticable in things like safron rice. If your looking to bring something back from your trek (sounds good) you could go for harissa - although it's too hot for me.
__________________
From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs.
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21-01-2007, 11:29 PM
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Thats a good idea Alice - I used to bring back great Harissa from some of the little shops in the villages when cycling in France. So really miss that.
I brought back seeds from Spain last year - some lovely looking tomatoes and an unusual shaped Cos lettuce amongst other things. Really looking forward to trying them.
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22-01-2007, 07:54 AM
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The chance is that what you bought in turkey is not saffron and merely food colouring. There is not such a thing as cheap saffron. I will try to find out what is commonly sold as saffron. You can achieve the same colouring by using turmeric. Regards Don Vincenzo
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22-01-2007, 09:58 AM
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Hi Don Vincenzo,
The crocus filaments I have in a large pot are definitely safffron, but after two years, and very little air, they are losing their flavour. It seems they don't keep forever 
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Regards, Jane What sane person could live in this world and not be crazy? The creative adult is the child who has survived. Ursula LeGuin http://www.etribes.com/madderbat
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22-01-2007, 11:01 AM
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madderbat,
I bought some saffron crocus bulbs at my local garden centre. It does however say that they are quite fussy and flowers are not reliable but I thought I would try anyway..... Not sure what I have to do if I do get any flowers but I'll cross that bridge when if I get some flowers 
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