Saffron Corms will be available from December until sold out.

Please note, orders containing Saffron Corms will be held over until early December.

Saffron is very expensive to buy, so why not invest in some corms and grow your own!

Saffron threads come from the female portion of the crocus flower (Crocus Sativus). Although saffron is expensive to buy, you can grow your own supply if you have some patience. After an initial planting of ten to twenty corms (similar to bulbs), a few flowers will multiply into a good saffron harvest.

How to Plant Saffron Crocus

Crocus can be planted between December and April, at a depth of 5cm.  It prefers a position offering full sun to light shade. It will send up flowers from March to April (Autumn bloomer), and is very hardy and easy to grow. Just ensure that you provide good drainage to reduce the risk of rotting. The plant will send up upright, spiky lavender coloured blossoms wit 3 long red stigmas in the centre of the flower, these are the highly sought after saffron strands.

After what can be a delay of months, the crocus will produce narrow grass-like leaves that will generate nourishment for the plant. These leaves will persist for 9 to 12 weeks and then vanish until the next blooming. Be careful not to destroy the leaves prematurely.

Propagating Saffron Crocus

The saffron crocus will grow additional corms from the mother plant. After three years, the corms can be dug up (during the summer when the plant is dormant), divided, and replanted. Break off the smaller outer corms from the mother plant and replant them in a separate location or at a distance of 8-10cm from other plantings. Periodic thinning of the corms, at lease once every six years, will keep your crocus plants healthy and blooming well.

Harvesting Saffron from Crocus

Three red stigmas occur in each bloom and should be harvested in the morning when the flowers have fully opened. Carefully remove them from the flower with tweezers and dry them in a dehydrator or in a warm dark location. To avoid spoilage, give your saffron plenty of time to dry and store it in a dark, tightly capped container.

Uses for Saffron

Now that you have a reliable supply of saffron, you can explore additional uses for this delicately flavored and useful spice. Beyond the traditional rice dishes, saffron can be used in meat and fish recipes, as well as in soups, breads, and cakes. It makes a relaxing addition to tea, and can help settle an upset stomach.

Historically, saffron was used as a fabric dye, hair dye, an aphrodisiac, and as an ingredient in perfume. In your kitchen, homegrown saffron can help you create memorable meals at a fraction of the cost of its commercially available counterpart.