Which Iranian cities produce the best saffron in the world?
The planting and use of saffron dates back to 3000 to 3500 years ago.
There are disagreements about the origin of saffron in world history;
Some believe that saffron originated in the ancient Median state of Iran,
while others say that saffron was first cultivated in ancient Greece and a region called Satius, as well as in Turkey and Asia Minor (southwest Asia).
But the documents actually show that the first fields of saffron were established by the Iranians who were exiled to the Levant by Mu’awiyah.
As the first saffron growers in the world,
these people introduced the properties of saffron to other ethnic groups,
including the Greeks, Chinese, Romans and Arabs, and taught how to plant it in the first to fourth centuries
AH to Islamic countries around the Mediterranean.
Also, the first saffron exports from Iran to Greece, Rome and China took place during the Parthian period.
In general, according to historical evidence, Iranians have paid much attention to saffron
since ancient times and used it in various edible and non-edible uses such as dyeing fabrics,
making cosmetic oils, welcoming elders in banquets, writing letters to sultans, and so on. For example,
during the Achaemenid period, saffron was used to flavor foods and decorate bread.
Darius the Great also used saffron oil to massage his body.
Alexander the Great ate saffron rice and took a bath in a saffron bath to heal his wounds.
Also during the Sassanids, saffron production in Iran and its quality in the cities of Qom and Bonn became famous.After that, the cities of Ghaenat and Birjand started planting and producing saffron in Iran and to this day they produce the best saffron in the world.
Introduction of saffron producing provinces in Iran
The growth period of saffron is in autumn and winter and the period of sleep or rest is in summer.
Therefore, areas with very cold winters slow down the growth of saffron.
Also, if the amount of rainfall and humidity is high in summer, saffron bulbs are damaged and destroyed.
Therefore, northern and southern provinces of Iran such as Mazandaran, Golestan, Gilan, Hormozgan, Bushehr, etc.
are not desirable areas for saffron cultivation and in general,
subtropical regions with hot and dry summers and mild winters are the most suitable options for saffron cultivation.
Iran is the main region under saffron cultivation in the world and according to the latest statistics,
the main saffron producing provinces in Iran are as follows:
1. Khorasan Razavi
Khorasan Razavi is the first province to produce the most saffron in Iran with an area of 82,000 hectares. Famous saffron producing cities in this province include Torbat-e Heydariyeh, Mashhad, Khaf, Gonabad, Taybad, Bajestan, Zaveh and Torbat-e-Jam. The people of Khorasan have been cultivating saffron for many years and this trade has formed a large part of their lives.
2. South Khorasan
South Khorasan, with a cultivated area of 15,000 hectares,
is the second largest producer of saffron in Iran after Khorasan Razavi province.
The cities of Ghaenat, Birjand, Ferdows and Bashravieh are famous saffron production centers in South Khorasan.
3. North Khorasan
Farooj city with an area under cultivation of two thousand and 453 hectares and annual production of about 14 tons of saffron is in the first place,
Shirvan city is in the second place and Esfarayen is in the third place of production in North Khorasan province.
4. Isfahan
After three provinces of Khorasan, Isfahan produces the highest amount of Iranian saffron.
The area under cultivation of this province is about 1300 hectares and saffron is planted in most cities of this province,
including Shahinshahr, Golpayegan, Najafabad, Natanz and Nain.
5. Yazd
The cultivated area of Yazd province is 900 hectares and the production of saffron in it is about 3 tons per year.
The main saffron producing cities in Kerman are: Bahabad, Bafgh, Abarkooh and Mehriz, respectively.
6. Other provinces
Other important provinces that are working in the field of saffron production in Iran include Fars, Hamedan, Qazvin, Lorestan, Khuzestan, Semnan, etc.
These provinces together produce about 2% of Iran’s total saffron.
The best saffron production area in Iran
Despite the fact that Khorasan Razavi province with an annual production of about 257 tons of 336 tons of saffron produced in the world,
ranks first among saffron producers, but the quality of saffron produced in South Khorasan province is usually better than Khorasan Razavi.
For this reason, Ghaenat saffron (a city in South Khorasan province) is known as the best saffron in the world and the saffron capital of Iran.
Saffron cultivation is so common and popular in South Khorasan province, especially in the city of Ghaen,
that a number of tourist tours are held every year to visit saffron farms for tourists.
Also, most of the people of this province are working in the saffron trade and intend to strengthen the position of Iranian saffron
in the world market by exporting more saffron.
Get Social