Harvesting saffron

It is time for farmers in Iran's northern province of Golstan to collect saffron threads. The threads are golden-colored stigmas of the autumn crocus. The three stigmas are handpicked from each flower and dried to be used as a spice to flavor foods and as a dye to color foods and other products. Apparently, this year's production in Gorgan has quadrupled. Last year 1870 Kg of saffron was collected from about 300 hectares of saffron plantations in Gorgan province.

photo: seyed javad mirhaji

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