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| Saffron |
Its cost is ALL 2,000 per gram. It is called "red gold". It is the most expensive spice in the world and among the three most expensive along with white truffle and caviar. Luckily there is also in Albania, the saffron.
The red color of the pistil, the unique aroma and the spicy taste make saffron like no other spice.
A spice that has been used since ancient times and also used in the pharmaceutical industry. It is considered the king of medicines and spices.Saffron cultivation has already started in Kosovo to be a solid business, and has recently started to be as successful in Albania as well.
The newest production of this plant is being made mainly by an Albanian-Italian venture. It is cultivated in Belsh, Dëshiran, on a surface of some hectares.
Denisa Elezi, administrator of the company "Victus Fed", which produces saffron in Albania, in an interview to AgroWeb.org told that this company was born in March 2013, after several years of experimentation in the Dumrea and other areas of Albania.
"The selection of saffron as a culture after a careful analysis of the Albanian territory and market came also because of our passion for gastronomy where saffron is the king of spices," says Denisa for AgroWeb.org
But, since saffron is a spice not widely known in Albania, is there any demand from the Albanian consumer?
"We must say that the customer response was surprising," says Denisa, adding that "the tendency towards healthy nutrition and curiosity to new tastes has increased the interest in saffron more and more.
The plant planted in Dumre was selected from the area of Acquila in central Italy, which is also the historically known area for saffron production, says Denisa for AgroWeb.org.
Dumra's saffron, in addition to trading in organic products in Tirana, is also widespread in Vlora, Elbasan or Saranda, while a quantity of production is also exported to Italy.
Saffron values
Saffron with the botanical name Crocus sativus is obtained from the Iridaceae family plant, which has a short flowering season, only three weeks a year.
The saffron's healing part is the stigma that contains safranal and phytochemistry such as chrysostomes, pikrocrocinas, lycopene, carotenoids and alkaloids.
Saffron is a natural remedy for stress and depression and also helps alleviate diseases such as Alzheimer.
Saffron contains substantial amounts of vitamin C, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, folic acid and vitamin B6.
For 0.5 kg of spice it is necessary to take about 75,000 flowers. A flower has 3 threads that need to be carefully collected manually.
One gram has about 200-300 threads stigma of saffron.
How to make saffron tea
3 - 4 saffron threads
A little honey
A glass of water
Put the saffron threads in a glass with a little warm water and leave them for 10 minutes. Then pour about a half glass boiling water. Add honey if desired to sweeten. Saffron threads can be consumed if you want.
Safffron consumption is preferable to all people, but in small quantities. It is advised not to consume more than 0.2 grams per day.