[Sca-cooks] Saffron in Ireland

[Terry Decker]

Saffron Waldon is in Essex, part of Roman controlled Britian.  I have yet to
find out when the name was adopted.  And the existence of the name does not
denote continous cultivation.

One also needs to consider that liguistically the name is post-Roman and may
be tied to the 12th Century Waldensian sect in France.

The subject needs more research.

Bear


>While saffron may have originated in the Eastern Mediterranean, we know it
>was grown in England (Saffron Walden).  The question might be if the
climate
>of Ireland, or portions of Ireland would have allowed the growing of the
>Saffron Crocus.  I grow it here in Portland, Oregon, and friends have no
>problem growing it in Pennsylvania where they got the bulbs from the local
>Pennsylvania Dutch organization.
>
>It might have been growable in Ireland at one time, and then a small
>climatic change (little ice age anyone?) might have made it unfeasible.
>
>Regina