23/03/2022
Pure and authentic Kashmiri Saffron is collected from the blossoms of Crocus sativus (Iridaceae), commonly known as saffron crocus or saffron bulbs. It is propagated by bulbs called corms which are planted on a virgin piece of land.
Each corn is planted from new bulbs, and this is how the plant multiplies. Through these bulbs, dark purple-colored flowers come in autumn which are saffron flowers.
By the middle of October, saffron flowers begin to blossom, and this blooming lasts for about three weeks.
There occurs a period of intensified blooming called the “blanket days” which last from two to six days where a saffron flower becomes a dark purple colored beautiful flower which has stigmas and threads later on processed to use as the pure and authentic Kashmiri Saffron strands.
Thousands of fully grown and bloomed saffron flowers are harvested very often in the morning hours and brought to the “stripping” area.
After the flowers are brought to the stripping area, the stigmas or threads are very carefully removed manually and painstakingly and kept aside till it is done on each saffron flower.
Collected stigmas and threads are further sun-dried to let go of the moisture in them for two to three days depending upon the temperature. Pure and organic Kashmiri Saffron is now ready to be sorted