
Saffron
A Global History
Ramin Ganeshram(Author)
Reaktion Books (Publisher)
Published on 12. October 2020
Book
Hardback
144 pages
978-1-78914-330-0 (ISBN)
Description
Explore the dramatic history of the world's most expensive spice in Saffron: A Global History. Literally worth their weight in gold, sunset-red saffron threads are prized internationally. Saffron can be found in cave art in Mesopotamia, in the frescoes of ancient Santorini, in the dyed wrappings of Egyptian mummies, in the saffron-hued robes of Buddhist monks, and in unmistakable dishes around the world. It has been the catalyst for trade wars, as well as smuggling schemes, and used in medicine and cosmetics.
Complete with delicious recipes and surprising anecdotes, this book traces the many paths taken by saffron, revealing the allure of a spice sought globally by merchants, chefs, artists, scientists, clerics, traders, warriors and black market smugglers.
Complete with delicious recipes and surprising anecdotes, this book traces the many paths taken by saffron, revealing the allure of a spice sought globally by merchants, chefs, artists, scientists, clerics, traders, warriors and black market smugglers.
Reviews / Votes
Saffron is the world's most expensive, and some say prized ingredient, but not many of us think of its many health benefits. Journalist, historian and food writer, Ganeshram does just that - and a whole lot more. She explores its dramatic history and recipes . . . Complete with delicious recipes, surprising anecdotes and an assortment of photographs, this book traces the many paths taken by saffron, revealing the allure of a spice sought globally. * PS News, Australia * Explore the dramatic history of the world's most expensive spice in Saffron: A Global History (Reaktion Books, 2020). Literally worth their weight in gold, sunset-red saffron threads are prized internationally . . . Complete with delicious recipes and surprising anecdotes, this book traces the many paths taken by saffron, revealing the allure of a spice sought globally by merchants, chefs, artists, scientists, clerics, traders, warriors, and black-market smugglers. * New Books Network * The book, like others in the Edible series, is beautifully presented and is best suited to those with an interest in culinary history. It is full of interesting anecdotes and references to saffron in art and literature. * OxVeg News * Although diminutive in size - A5, 150 pages, many of them with images or illustrations - this book by New York-based chef and culinary historian, Ramin Ganeshram, captures much of the reverence and mystique associated with saffron, the delicate stigmas plucked from the flowers of Crocus sativus, from antiquity to the present . . . Ganeshram crafts a compelling tale of saffron's 'circuitous route' over the centuries, from its humble wild origins in ancient Greece to exotic cultivar and precious trade commodity, shaping tastes and traditional dishes in various ways as it was acculturated into cuisines across the globe. The geographical transference of saffron is fascinating, its spread mapping the rise and fall of conquerors and empires that took the spice from Europe to the Orient, to England and the New World and eventually, the Antipodes. * Australian Garden History * This book is much like the ingredient it focuses on: exquisite. A brilliant and informative book by an uber talented author. * Monica Bhide, cookbook author *More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Product notice
sewn/stitched
Cloth over boards
Illustrations
58 illustrations, 54 in colour
Dimensions
Height: 199 mm
Width: 123 mm
Thickness: 14 mm
Weight
322 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-78914-330-0 (9781789143300)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Person
Journalist and chef Ramin Ganeshram is the author of a number of cookbooks and The General's Cook: A Novel (2018).
Content
Introduction
1 Flower of the Gods: Origin and Early Cultivation
2 The Ancient World, Silk Road
3 Saffron in the Medieval and Renaissance Eras
4 North America and the Caribbean
5 Arts and Medicine
6 Modern Market
A Saffron Primer
Recipes
References
Select Bibliography
Websites and Associations
Acknowledgements
Photo Acknowledgements
Index
1 Flower of the Gods: Origin and Early Cultivation
2 The Ancient World, Silk Road
3 Saffron in the Medieval and Renaissance Eras
4 North America and the Caribbean
5 Arts and Medicine
6 Modern Market
A Saffron Primer
Recipes
References
Select Bibliography
Websites and Associations
Acknowledgements
Photo Acknowledgements
Index