Foods

Saffron in Abruzzo
Next time you order risotto alla milanese in Italy, the saffron or"zafferano" you are eating is most likely from the region of Abruzzo, in central Italy. The plains of Navelli in the l'Aquila province are home to this delicate spice.

Saffron is obtained from the stigmas of the violet-coloured crocus sativus flower and grow to around 12-15 cm tall. It has been cultivated in Navelli since the 14th Century, when a local Dominican monk brought back a number of these plants from Spain to experiment with their cultivation on his family's estate. The terrain in Navelli- at 800 meters above sea level,a dry climate and fertile fields not too high in clay content- make it an ideal habitat for saffron cultivation.

Saffron was used to dye fabrics and hair and its additional curative powers have long been known to help digestion, rheumatism and colds.
The area of cultivation in Abruzzo is strictly limited to 8 hectares of land. A sad reduction from the 430 hectares cultivated at the turn of the last century.
Harvesting this precious spice occurs in autumn towards the end of October and into early November where the stigmas are harvested by hand before sunrise, that is, before the flowers open up, so all of their aromas are still sealed within. 200 flowers are needed to obtain one gram of fresh stigmas! The flowers are opened one by one and the stigmas are removed by hand and then slowly desiccated on the warm ash of the domestic fireplaces on the very same day. The saffron is mainly exported to northern Italy and northern European markets.

The Cooperative "Altopiano di Navelli" (Navelli Highland) was formed in 1971 and represents 40 farmers who cultivate saffron over the 8 hectares.
You too can experience the pleasure of visiting this beautiful and unspoilt region of Abruzzo - savour the regional dishes with local ingredients such as "spaghetti alla chitarra with saffron and truffle" and take part in the time honoured traditions and festivities. On our Medieval Magic of Abruzzo Tour we experience the pleasure of meeting a saffron producer and he will take us through all the stages of production and tasting!