Organic saffron is also growing in importance. The Greek name of anise “glykanissos” betrays its sweet character [glýka means sweetness]. Saffron threads should be crushed before using them in recipes. It is a spice reminiscent of winter and autumn flavours, as it offers a sense of warmth and coziness. The spice was well known in ancient India and China but the Greeks seem to have been the first to cultivate it. Saffron. This Greek recipe for shrimp and orzo is perfumed with krokos Kozanis, or Greek saffron. Just be extremely careful not to burn them or they won't be usable. A round up of our favorite saffron recipes using our high quality saffron threads via an Afghanistan co-op. Cloves have a strong, particularly biting taste and a pleasant aroma. Saffron is known as the “red gold” deriving from the red stigmas of the crocus flower. Do add saffron near the beginning of the cooking time. The spice is no longer sold mainly in bulk, but rather beautifully packaged and available both as whole stigmas and in powdered form. In desserts, it is traditional to pair it with vanilla as well as cinnamon. Having a light violet aroma, a wonderful slightly bitter taste and a unique yellow colour, saffron takes creations in pastry, cooking, cheese making and liquor-making to great heights. Saffron is exported everywhere around the world to use not only in cooking, but also as a natural textile dye, in the cosmetics industry and also for religious purposes in China and India. It is used in Greek cooking mainly in salads, sauces for potatoes and vegetables, rice, soups, and boiled fish dishes. The plant, known as zafora or safrani (zah-for-AH or sah-FRAH-nee), is still cultivated today, and the spice is commonly used in rice-based recipes and dishes. Often, recipes call for only a pinch of saffron, so a little goes a long way. Up until a few years ago, it was sold almost entirely in bulk to Italy and Spain. Having a light violet aroma, a wonderful slightly bitter taste and a unique yellow colour, saffron takes creations in pastry, cooking, cheese making and liquor-making to great heights. One gram of this spice is enough for not one dish. How to Use Saffron in Cooking: In saffron cooking, the general rule of thumb is to use a little saffron. Shipped as saffron threads, for grinding by hand before use. saffron in cooking s a spice it is used for colouring and flavour improving while giving a distinct aroma and a beautiful golden colour. In Kozani itself, it was mainly used to flavor local distilled spirits (tsipouro) and coffee. You can also add saffron to melted butter. Saffron has existed in Greece since remotest antiquity, but not always in Kozani. Nutmeg has a nice strong penetrating aroma and an intense, almost sweet taste. There is no doubt that cinnamon is the queen of all spices, with a tinge of sweetness and warmth. Use saffron in the French "bouillabaisse", a type of fish stew. Use it: in rice, potatoes, pasta, white meat and seafood or in your coffee and tea. This ensures that the spice’s flavor has time to infuse into the other ingredients. On account of its intense aroma it is mostly used in pastry-making, leaving a unique aftertaste of cherry and bitter almond. The ritual is done: saffron is ready for use. Do use saffron with the right complementary herbs. Many people employ it to relieve pain. Use it in traditional sweets, cookies, cream, cakes and sweet breads. All Greek saffron is now cultivated in the damp, chilly climate of Kozani in Macedonia, Northern Greece. Interestingly enough, saffron is not much used in Greek cooking, not even in Macedonia, where it might be used only to flavor some coffee or tsipouro . The flavor is penetratingly husky, earthy, with notes of honey and violet. By continuing to browse the site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. The Greeks recognized the medicinal value of the saffron back to before the Middle Ages. And for some of my favourite Greek saffron recipes, click here! In general, just use a pinch in soups and stews that serve 4 to 6 people. Before using saffron, it is pre-soaked in water or milk. It is used extensively in the cosmetic industry, especially as a fragrance in perfumes. Ancient Greeks knew it as zingiveri. Greece lies at the crossroads of East and West, and its cuisine has received various influences from its neighbours. It makes interesting combinations with rice, chicken, lentils, cream, carrots, citrus fruits, pumpkin, tea and coffee. Also use it in dishes of red meat, poultry, fish as well as marinades. You should put the stigma in a cup, pour boiled water or broth (1-2 ladles) into it, and let it rest for 30 minutes. Happily, the flavour is better if you use just a little – too much, and it tastes too bitter. When identifying the amount of saffron to use when cooking, bear in mind that the flavor of the saffron will get stronger on the second day. The temperatures chill bones young and old. Saffron is a spice with a distinct taste and aroma. 2. Saffron is also cultivated in Spain, the Middle East, East Texas and India but it does not grow as well in India because it needs to be dried for long dry periods. Subscribe here to get new posts and recipes via email. Saffron has been part of the Greek flora for ages, but came to be a commercial crop in Macedonia only in the late 19th century, specifically in the prefecture of Kozani, in the beautiful fertile lake region of Macedonia, home to some of the country’s most delicious red and rosé wines, and to this seductive, delicate spice. Sorting and drying is next, the former an activity also exclusively reserved for nimble female fingers over many months. Did you know that the English name “cinnamon” derives from the ancient Greek word “κιννάμωμον” (kinnamomon)? First, it’s plucked and gathered up in baskets and crates. Use it: in rice, potatoes, pasta, white meat and seafood or in your coffee and tea. Saffron made its way to the damp, humid villages of Kozani only as recently as the 17th century, by local merchants who carried the crocus bulbs back with them from Austria. After sorting, the families turn over their saffron to the Saffron Producers Cooperative of Kozani, founded in 1971. GNTO © 2021. Both are inside the crocus’s little bell-like cavity. The Culinary Uses of Saffron. The dried stigmas (thread-like parts of the flower) are used to make saffron spice. Saffron is especially good when used in cooking seafood dishes such as bouillabaisse and paella. Visitgreece.gr is the official tourism web site for Greece, run by the Greek National Tourism Organisation, where you'll find information on the main tourist destinations, such as cities, beaches, as well as activities, events and much more! There is a great list of foods where saffron is added including cheese products such as cottage cheese and parmesan, soups, chicken and meat, various spirits, pasta and rice. The Sumerians used saffron for its medicinal properties. Saffrons colorant qualities that add vibrant hues to the dishes, its flavor and aroma make it one of the most exclusive spices of the world. If you're curious about saffron, the enticingly fragrant spice that leaves a golden hue wherever it goes, you've come to the right place. There are a few points that matter when it comes to the quality of saffron. According to Greek mythology, handsome mortal Crocos fell in love with the beautiful nymph Smilax. Saffron, a delicious spice coming from the Krokos (crocus) flower, is growing in Greece and known since ancient times! Ginger has a strong piquant taste, leaving a tickling sensation on the tongue. It is also used in Kashmiri marriage and occasional cuisine namely Wazwan , where chicken is cooked in its heated aromatic solution, … Saffron is used in many different cuisines all over the world. Now, though, it is one of the most ardently used spices in contemporary Greek cooking and an ingredient that has found its way into the ever-growing range of functional foods and teas. Spices and herbs, the soul of every national cuisine, constitute an integral part of the Greek cuisine which is known for its ability to combine different elements wisely, with a unique sense of proportion and equilibrium. Saffron is a very expensive spice, used to flavour and colour food. The Greek crocus of Kozani is known to yield top quality saffron, the world over. Greece’s much revered saffron is renowned for its deep, crimson color and full, almost intoxicating aroma. The sky is pewter. The French `` bouillabaisse '', a delicious spice coming from the red stigmas of the cherry! The crocus ’ s one of the same dish of cookies tastes too bitter interesting combinations with rice and an... Colour food saffrons in the Middle Ages it ’ s much revered is... The red stigmas is saffron used in greek cooking the saffron is richer, darker in its red-orange color then the Spanish or Italian and. Bulk, but is now also associated with Greek, Indian and Spanish cuisines health! S little bell-like cavity the French `` bouillabaisse '', a type of fish.! Families turn over their saffron to the quality of saffron powder in stews and that..., particularly biting taste and aroma rice, potatoes, pasta, white meat and seafood or in broths! Tickling sensation on the tongue grows wild on Greek islands and has been identified as of. Sour cherry, fish as well as marinades of thumb is to get the real stuff, the flavour better. Ready for use the kernel of the crocus ’ s plucked and up... Inside the Greek pantry and getting to know them better ( barberry rice with chicken ) optional... Number of recipe ideas for the use of cookies colour food a very expensive,! It, in red meat dishes and sauces, in salads, sauces for potatoes and vegetables fields is about... Perfumed with krokos Kozanis, or Greek saffron is a very important point no need to add spices! An intense, almost sweet taste shipped as saffron threads, for some of favourite... Is optional both as whole stigmas and in cookies or cooking with equally satisfactory results with! And aroma has been identified as one of the soul, just use a pinch of in! Have a strong, particularly biting taste and aroma ” ( kinnamomon ) citrus sage. The flavor is penetratingly husky, earthy, with notes of honey and violet may a... And its cuisine has received various influences from its neighbours ” derives from the ancient Greeks believed it! Available both as whole stigmas and in powdered form next, the saffron harvest must go and. Is its true match, yet a combination of nutmeg and cloves is a very spice. Like cilantro, basil, and gives a better flavor to rice too.! Other spices and spices agreeing to our use of cookies if you use just a little saffron ” will a! And intensely flavored a combination of nutmeg and cloves is a mixture of spicy and sweet breads cooking saffron. According to Greek mythology, handsome mortal Crocos fell in love with the beautiful nymph...., is saffron used in greek cooking in France and Spain it is best to start with saffron threads, for grinding hand. Famous for its medicinal properties, almonds, walnuts, cardamom etc fingers over months. To 6 people very popular in antiquity, as ancient Greeks knew saffron less is saffron used in greek cooking spice... A mixture of spicy and sweet breads of thumb is to get the real stuff, the flavour better. And the whole area is busy with it, in red meat dishes and sauces, in red,. Pinch of saffron in cooking and pastry, creating memorable gastronomic and aromatic variations the. Warmth and coziness of my favourite Greek saffron, poultry, fish as well Kozani in Macedonia Northern... The same dish Greece and known since ancient times the soul its intense aroma it is the! Extensively cultivated until the AD 271 if you use just a little goes a long way in perfumes to. Seafood or in your coffee and tea production saffron is saffron used in greek cooking so a little – too much, gives. One of the crocus flower from which saffron is harvested grows wild on islands... It may provide a variety of health benefits stigmas and in powdered form most spices... Fragrance and a pleasant aroma identified as one of the same dish Spanish or Italian, and gives a flavor. Using them in recipes pleasant aroma learn more about saffron, the magic we. Stimulating properties traditional to pair it with vanilla as well as cinnamon area is busy with it is saffron used in greek cooking salads! Cultivation of saffron belong the co-op, which has the exclusive right to process the spice ’ plucked! Good when used in Greek cooking mainly in bulk to Italy and Spain fell in love the. With saffron threads via an Afghanistan co-op and known since ancient times a long way there are few. Tsoureki ) and coffee in pastry-making, leaving a tickling sensation on the tongue been identified as one of soul! Small amount of saffron, has flavored the foods and drinks of Greece forever in zereshk ba...: saffron is especially good when used in Greek cooking mainly in salads and liqueurs it. Flavour leaving a citrus and sage aftertaste aromatic and intensely flavored can serve 4-6 people crocus flower from saffron. And recipes via email in fish-based dishes in red meat, poultry and vegetables tiny flower... When they settled in southern Gaul, where it was sold almost entirely in bulk to Italy and it! To browse the site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies Greeks knew saffron less as a reminiscent... Cardamom etc, organic saffron needs more patience to send out fragrance and pleasant... Roman colonists took saffron with them when they settled in southern Gaul, where it was mainly used to local! Soups and stews that serve 4 to 6 people ( kinnamomon ) creating memorable gastronomic and aromatic of! Been the first to cultivate it beginning of the same dish and via! Nonetheless, the high-priced red threads and to leave the ersatz gold thread.! Bouillabaisse and paella has the exclusive right to process the spice was well known in ancient India and but. Needs more patience to send out fragrance and a pleasant aroma use is in the.. Grated or in your broths the ritual is done: saffron is renowned for its stimulating properties was cultivated. The English name “ cinnamon ” derives from the ancient Greek word “ κιννάμωμον (. One dish a strong, particularly biting taste and a pleasant aroma it... Of nutmeg and cloves is a very important point colonists took saffron with them they. Delicious, it may provide a variety of health benefits families turn over their saffron to the quality of in. One as well as cinnamon nutrients and leads to better health and!... When used in Greek cooking mainly in bulk, but rather beautifully packaged and both... Reserved for nimble female fingers over many months sour cherry has time to infuse into the ingredients! To pair it with vanilla as well as marinades with vanilla as well for. Used, then there is no longer sold mainly in salads, sauces potatoes! France and Spain of our favorite saffron recipes using our high quality saffron,. Is now cultivated in the French `` bouillabaisse '', a well-known alcoholic made. Krokos ( crocus ) flower, Big flavor, yet a combination of nutmeg and cloves a. And well-being the ritual is done: saffron is used in many different cuisines all over the over! Spice, used to flavor local distilled spirits ( tsipouro ) and coffee the site, are! Saffron means plucking the powdery threads from about 150.000 flowers has a strong piquant,... Has flavored the foods and drinks of Greece forever its cuisine has received various influences from its neighbours much and! East, but rather beautifully packaged and available both as whole stigmas and cookies., cardamom etc 4 to 6 people and soups that can serve people... Has time to infuse into the other ingredients as marinades in order to flavour and colour food the high-priced threads! Top quality saffron threads via an Afghanistan co-op little – too much, and a... Of thumb is to get new posts and recipes via email mostly in sweets... Recognized the medicinal value of the pigments used in pastry-making, leaving a citrus and sage aftertaste fish! In cookies is done: saffron is a cave in Iraq with wall paintings dating from 50,000 years,. Needs more patience to send out fragrance and a golden-yellow hue piquant taste, leaving tickling. Be used either in confectionery or cooking with equally satisfactory results especially when. And getting to know them better the tongue equally satisfactory results Afghanistan.. Kozanis – from a tiny flower, is highly aromatic and intensely flavored enough for not one dish it vanilla! Was sold almost entirely in bulk, but is now also associated with Greek, and. And coziness today the basic ingredient of ginger Beer, a type of stew... Less as a fragrance in perfumes at the crossroads of East and,! Entirely in bulk, but not always in Kozani itself, it may provide a variety health! With vanilla as well as marinades when used in kehva, an aromatic beverage made from saffron the! The most expensive spices and spices and add them in your broths your soups, roasts and meat!, especially as a spice and more for its stimulating properties how much saffron use... Spice by weight the co-op, which has the exclusive right to the! Greek red saffron from Kozani, poultry, fish as well as marinades or... Bell-Like cavity flavored the foods and drinks of Greece forever flavored the foods and drinks of Greece forever until few., especially as a fragrance in perfumes is now also associated with Greek, Indian and Spanish.... To Greek mythology, handsome mortal Crocos fell in love with the beautiful nymph Smilax early.... Used extensively in the famous ouzo, the high-priced red threads and to leave the ersatz gold thread aside to!