Full Description
Explore the dramatic history of the world's most expensive spice in Saffron: A Global History. Literally worth their weight in gold, sunset-red saffron threads are prized internationally. Saffron can be found in cave art in Mesopotamia, in the frescoes of ancient Santorini, in the dyed wrappings of Egyptian mummies, in the saffron-hued robes of Buddhist monks, and in unmistakable dishes around the world. It has been the catalyst for trade wars, as well as smuggling schemes, and used in medicine and cosmetics.
Complete with delicious recipes and surprising anecdotes, this book traces the many paths taken by saffron, revealing the allure of a spice sought globally by merchants, chefs, artists, scientists, clerics, traders, warriors and black market smugglers.
Contents
Introduction
1 Flower of the Gods: Origin and Early Cultivation
2 The Ancient World, Silk Road
3 Saffron in the Medieval and Renaissance Eras
4 North America and the Caribbean
5 Arts and Medicine
6 Modern Market
A Saffron Primer
Recipes
References
Select Bibliography
Websites and Associations
Acknowledgements
Photo Acknowledgements
Index
