The purple field of Kashmir – GulfToday

  • Date: 16-Nov-2020
  • Source: Gulf Today
  • Sector:Agriculture
  • Country:Gulf
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The purple field of Kashmir – GulfToday

Crocus flower, the producer of saffron. AP

Gulf Today Report

Across a big field in the Himalayan Kashmir, surrounded by mountains lies an array of purple flowers which produces saffron, one of the world most precious spice.

In the Kashmir region, the saffron crocus flowers bloom for only two weeks at the end of  autumn.

Following harvest from the fields, the purple petals are separated and the flower comes in three tiny stigmas, the stigmas are dried up in the sun before they are processed into the most expensive and sought-after spice. 

A woman walks with a basket filled with crocus flowers. AP

Saffron is a multipurpose spice used in different things from food to cosmetics. The stigmas of about 150,000 flowers make up a kilogram of saffron.

The spice is regarded as one of the prides of