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Page 2
He added that "it is also such a speciall remedie for those that have consumption of the lungs, and are, as we terme it, at death's doore, and almost past breathing, that it bringeth breath again. . ."
One must be careful, however, not to confuse true saffron with another fall-blooming crocus known as meadow saffron, colchicum autumnale, or Naked Ladies. It is, as Turner so eloquently put it "sterke poyson and will strongell a man and kill him in the space of one day!" So, if you wish to try growing saffron, make very sure that you purchase crocus sativus. You can more safely and easily buy the spice ready-made, but it is also very expensive. High-quality saffron can cost up to $36 an ounce. (That is why some supermarkets have been known to keep it locked in the manager's safe!) The spice's supporters point out, however, that an ounce of saffron is a year's supply if only used once a week. It is sold in both thread and powdered form, with the powder being more potent and convenient, as it can be added directly to recipes. The threads must be steeped first. The best saffron has a coloring stength of at least 220. Saffron, like gold, was thought to make men happy. In the Language of Flowers, after all, the saffron crocus stands for "mirth." But saffron itself warns "beware of excess." Gerard cautioned that over-consumption of the spice "causeth head-ache, and is hurtful to the braine. . .for the too much using of it cutteth off sleep. . ." Culpeper reported that some users "have fallen into an immoderate convulsive laughter, which ended in death." That proves, I guess, that too much saffron, like too much gold, can become a dangerous extravagance! Note: Image is from Kohler's Medizinal-Pflanzen, courtesy of the Missouri Botanical Garden Library, at http://ridgwaydb.mobot.org/mobot/rareboo...
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The copyright of the article Saffron: Gold in a Crocus Cup - Page 2 in Historical Plants is owned by Audrey Stallsmith. Permission to republish Saffron: Gold in a Crocus Cup - Page 2 in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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