History of Saffron (4) (Middle East and Iran)

Today, saffron pigments are found in prehistoric paintings created 50,000 years ago in caves in present-day Iraq, northwest of the Persian Empire, depicting animals.

The Sumerians used saffron as the main ingredient in medicines and magic potions.

The Sumerians did not cultivate saffron.

They collected saffron from wild flowers.

They believed that divine power alone could provide the medicinal properties of saffron.

Evidence shows that before the saffron cultivation in the palace of Minoan Crete, which peaked in the second millennium BC, saffron trade was common.

3000 years ago, in the Hebrew language, saffron was praised as a fragrant spice.

In ancient Iran, in the 10th century BC, saffron was cultivated in the cities of Darband (Russia) and Isfahan.

The strings of Iranian saffron are mixed with royal carpets and shrouds of the dead.

In ancient Iran, worshipers used saffron as an offering to God, and as a bright yellow color, perfume, and medicine.

Therefore, saffron noodles were spread throughout the dormitory and mixed with hot tea to treat soda.

In fact, the foreigners suspected that the Iranians’ use of saffron strings in tea and food was addictive and sexually arousing.

These fears increased and caused tourists and travelers to avoid eating foods containing saffron in Iran.

In addition, an aqueous solution of Iranian saffron with sandalwood was used to wash the body after hard work and under the scorching Iranian sun.

For years, Iranian saffron was widely used by Alexander and his army.

They mixed saffron with tea and ate saffron rice.

Alexander personally, following Cyrus the Great, used saffron for bathing.

Like Cyrus, he believed that saffron healed wounds, and as a result, his faith in saffron increased.

She even offered saffron baths to her men.

The Greek soldiers continued to use saffron for many years after returning to Macedonia, seeing the therapeutic benefits.

Saffron cultivation had reached present-day Turkey, where they concentrated saffron cultivation north of Safranbolu.

This place is still famous for its annual saffron cultivation festivals.