[Sca-cooks] Saffron in Ireland

[Terry Decker]

Saffron is native to the Eastern Mediterranean (Asia Minor primarily).  The
Romans brought it to Northern Europe and England, but use there declined as
the Empire collapsed.  The Moors reintroduced saffron to Europe during the
Islamic expansion and probably also introduced saffron to India.  BTW, in
the Medieval period, "Indian saffron" was tumeric.

I don't recall any Irish Crusaders, so that part of the tale is suspect.  In
Roman times, the Irish may have taken saffron in raids on England, but a
steady supply most likely only became available after 1171, when Henry II
claimed Ireland, opening eight centuries of trade and travail between
England and Ireland.

IIRC, McClintock in Old Irish and Highland Dress mentions saffron dyes in
relation to Irish clothing from about the 15th Century, but it has been
several years since I casual read the book nad my memory may be faulty.

Bear



>Where is saffron native, and when did it come to Ireland? A friend
>was told that saffron was from India, was brought to Ireland by the
>Crusaders.  Since it was known in Minoan Crete, and has a long
>history in Spain, I would guess that it has a much longer history in
>Ireland than this.
>
>Ranvaig