With a kilogram selling for around $5,250 - Turkey's saffron growers are optimistic they can establish themselves in the international market for the 'golden spice'
Ismail Yilmaz is a 48-year-old saffron grower in the Karabuk province town of Safranbolu, in the Black Sea region of northern Turkey. He tells TRT World that his family has been growing the prized flowers for 18-20 years.
He says while saffron may grow elsewhere in Turkey and around the world, the saffron from Safranbolu is of a higher quality with a distinctive smell and strong taste. The corm is planted in late summer/early autumn, grown organically in cow dung, with weeds cleaned out by hand and flowers harvested in the autumn.
Ayvalik notes that in Turkey, even saffron which is not first grade Safranbolu product, instead originating from other places such as Iran and Kashmir, sell for at least $3.50-$4.38 per gramme. According to Ayvalik, saffron has been known in Anatolia since the Hittites and was exported during the reign of the Ottoman Empire. Ayvalik tells TRT World that up until the 20th Century, or even in the first quarter of the 20th Century, saffron was cultivated in Anatolia, mainly in Safranbolu, and the town is probably named after the spice.
Safranbolu mayor Elif Kose tells TRT World that the production of saffron in the town almost disappeared in the past because growing and picking the flower is a difficult process. She adds that nowadays, with one big producer and several smaller, younger producers, the flower is making a comeback.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
AJ Pritchard asks Saffron Barker to dance with him in sweet Strictly video after mics are left onFind out what AJ Pritchard and Saffron Barker said to one another during their Blackpool performance
Read more »
Victoria Beckham Says Justin Bieber Treating Her Kids to Snow ConesThe former Spice Girls member said that the pop star is 'a nice man.'
Read more »
China’s Golden Rooster Awards Moves To Annual Berth As It Competes With Taiwan’s ‘Chinese Oscars’ Golden Horse AwardsThis weekend sees a showdown between two of the Chinese-speaking film world’s major awards events, with both the Golden Rooster Awards, held on the China mainland, and Taiwan’s Golden Horse A…
Read more »
Turkey needs to 'get rid of' Russian S-400 system to overcome impasse with U.S. - U.S. officialTurkey needs to 'get rid of' S-400s to overcome impasse: State Dept official
Read more »
21 Outfits for Every Conceivable ThanksgivingCool dresses, easy jumpsuits, and, yes, crisp blazers that will keep you comfortable through three hours of eating and drinking
Read more »
German ambassador says Turkey should explain charges against arrested lawyerGermany's ambassador to Turkey said the arrest of a Turkish lawyer hired by...
Read more »