Saffron

Typical products

The plant of Saffron has been imported in Italy in XIV Century from the Middle East. Arabian name "za' faran"mean the sun shine. IN the past, Tuscany has been one of the most important grower of Italy, above all in the region of Siena. In the Middle Ages people belief that who was sleeping on a Saffron lump get energy and vitality.

Still today Saffron is rare and precious, and the picking is handmade. The flower of Saffron is made by three-ply stigma and a shorter two-ply called "femminelle".

Stigmas have to be separated from the "femminelle" and desiccated. To get one kilo of Saffron we need 150.000 stigmas and one hectar of land. The picking end at November. We are proud that in Montaione is still produced the Saffron and used in some local recipes, thanks to the passion and culture for our land.