Saffron in Italy: discover the magic of this spice!

Discover the benefits of red gold, but more importantly where to find saffron-scented eco-friendly destinations in Italy!

Saffron is a spice that is widely used in the catering world but also in medicine. This spice is harvested from the stigmas of the flower Crocus Sativus, which belongs to the Iridaceae family. Its origins are very ancient and date back to Asia Minor and Eastern Europe. Today, it is also cultivated in Italy as a product of excellence, especially in the regions of Umbria, Sardinia and Abruzzo.

Another common name is that of red gold, because it is a much sought-after and equally expensive commodity. The cultivation and harvesting of the red pistils is done exclusively by hand, only in autumn and in the early hours of the morning. Just think that to produce one kilogram of saffron, it is necessary to harvest more than 100,000 flowers!

Properties and benefits of saffron

The most common use of saffron here in Italy is certainly in cooking, where it serves mainly as a colouring and flavouring agent for dishes. One of the most typical dishes in the Lombardy tradition, but also a general Italian symbol abroad, is saffron risotto.
As a spice, it is used to enrich and enhance the flavours of the food it accompanies. Among the most famous and tasty combinations are those with shellfish, seafood, delicate sauces and stewed meats.

But this is not the only way we can use saffron.

saffron in pharmacy — Picture by Canva Pro

According to several studies, this spice has beneficial effects on brain activity. This is because saffron is rich in active ingredients that produce dopamine, serotonin and noradrenaline, i.e. mood-enhancing neurotransmitters. Being a sedative, this can be used to make herbal teas and infusions to calm anxiety.

It is also an extremely useful and effective product for the intestines. It serves to improve digestive functions and improve intestinal balance. The production of digestive saffron liqueurs is very typical.

It is interesting how this spice is used in India. They use it to cure everyday ailments such as sore throats, colds, coughs or fevers. In short, a true grandmother’s remedy!

Itineraries to discover saffron in Italy

1. The saffron roads in Abruzzo

The province of L’Aquila is one of the areas where this saffron is produced in Italy. L’Aquila saffron with PDO denomination has been harvested and cultivated here for generations. The production area is very wide and includes no less than 13 municipalities in the province of L’Aquila.

Set off from the splendid regional capital and be bewitched by the splendour of the Gran Sasso. From here, head south to enter the Navelli plateau. In the flowering season, you can immerse yourself in the beauty of the purple fields of saffron flowers all around you.

It doesn’t end here! On the route from L’Aquila to Navelli, you will pass through the small towns of San Pio and Camere. These are places with an ancient agricultural tradition, roads of transhumance in which you will begin to glimpse the first red pistils of the highly prized saffron.

A monk from Navelli imported the spice to Abruzzo during the 13th century by a monk from Navelli. It found a favourable habitat on this plateau, a propensity for trade and a flourishing use in cooking and in the ancient pharmacy.

You can buy saffron all year round in shops, in stigmas or powder form. The peculiarity of L’Aquila Saffron PDO is its high concentration of lime and potassium, which give it a stronger taste than other varieties.

2. Itinerary among the Red Gold in Sardinia

In the province of Medio Campidano in Sardinia, there is extensive saffron production. Specifically, this is cultivated in the municipalities of San Gavino Monreale, Turri and Villanovafranca.

nuraghe su mulinu in sardegna — Picture by Canva Pro

The tour starts in the town of San Gavino Monreale, where you can admire the ancient castle and the saffron flower fields. It continues to Villanovafranca, a village where you can revive tradition every day, thanks to its exceptionally important agricultural centre. Not far away, you can visit real pieces of history such as Nuraghe Su Mulinu and the remains of the castle of Las Plassas. Finally, you will reach the Parco Sardegna in Miniatura in Turri, where you can learn all about the production processes of this miraculous spice.

The ideal season to visit these parts of Sardinia is autumn. The Sagra dello Zafferano (Saffron Festival) will give you the opportunity to taste it fully and understand all its qualities explained by experts.

The presence of the spice in Sardinia dates back to the Phoenicians. From this historical moment onwards, it began to be cultivated on the island until the present day. This historical presence has enabled the creation of saffron-based dishes in the culture of Italy.

Sardinian Saffron PDO differs from others in its strong colouring power and aromatic qualities.

3. Discovering saffron in Umbria

Umbria is one of the most picturesque regions in Italy, and here too you can find an itinerary to discover this precious flower. More specifically, you should travel to the province of Gubbio.

nature in Spoleto — Picture by Canva Pro

Set out from Città della Pieve to enter the consortium ‘Il croco di Pietro Perugino – Zafferano di Città della Pieve‘. The peculiarity is that in this consortium, saffron is sold only in pistils so as to preserve its authenticity. Follow on to Cascia, where you can visit the Cascia Saffron Exhibition Market.
Head to Spoleto to taste the delicious saffron and chickpea maltagliati, a typical and special dish of Umbrian cuisine that will leave you speechless. The last stop is the town of Gubbio, where we suggest you visit the Associazione Zafferano di Gubbio to try their delicious saffron rabbit.

Saffron production in Umbria dates back to 1279, the year of the first traces of the spice. At the time, it was mainly used in the dyeing of highly prized fabrics, but over time experimentation has been seen mainly in the local cuisine.

5 Saffron-scented eco-friendly destinations in Italy

field of saffron in Italy — Picture by Canva Pro

After all this curiosity, you will certainly be eager to discover and experience it for yourself!

We therefore propose several accommodation facilities where you can taste saffron, observe the production and cultivation techniques and walk among the flowering fields. The key word is sustainability: all facilities are based on a philosophy of respect for the environment and limiting ecological impact.

Sant’Egle Eco BIO Resort & Glamping

Sant’Egle, an organic farmhouse that grows saffron in Tuscany, Grosseto. An ancient 17th century customs house transformed into a fascinating organic farmhouse and glamping. Bike resort, yoga centre, Gong bath, massages, floating centre. It offers virtuous examples of energy saving and original works of creative recycling.

The farm cultivates spirulina, saffron, stevia RebA, fruit, vegetables and since 2015 also truffles following the certified organic synergetic and biodynamic method.

Fattoria Donato

Fattoria Donato, in San Gimignano, offers tastings, dinners and cooking courses with saffron. On the beautiful hills of San Gimignano, amidst woods, vineyards and olive groves, in a small medieval hamlet, a cosy organic farmhouse surrounded by greenery and in a panoramic position.

Here you can try for breakfast, lunch and dinner all the typical Tuscan and local products and dishes accompanied by our wines. They produce wines, extra virgin olive oil, chickpeas, spelt and have a wonderful vegetable garden where they grow herbs and spices, including saffron.
So if you are looking for a culinary holiday, San Donato is where you can make it happen!

For more information: https://sandonato.it/en/experience-in-cucina/

Tenuta di Magnì

Organic farmhouse in Ragusa, with many saffron-based activities. The Magnì estate was built at the end of the 19th century. Today it is home to a business incubator, and various activities take place there, from carpentry to agriculture as well as onotherapy activities with donkeys. The idea is to have a space where each person can express themselves, in any art form.

Eco chic hospitality amidst nature. The agritourism offers walks and trekking with donkeys through the saffron fields, participation in the saffron harvest (in November), and lunches based on this flower.

Tenuta Opuntia

Between Etna and Taormina, it produces organic saffron. Go back to the essence to rediscover the pleasure of living. In Calatabiano, 8 km from Taormina, the agriturismo offers a breathtaking view of the sea, restaurants serving local and zero-kilometre products, and bicycles for hire to discover the area.

They keep an eye on the vegan and vegetarian world: with tasty, nutritious dishes and a special eye on guests with gluten intolerances or who are coeliacs: so that their stay is not penalised, but enhanced with the discovery of new dishes. At the heart of their cuisine you can enjoy organic saffron produced directly on the estate.

Azienda Agrituristica lo Zafferano

Agricamping in Albenga, Liguria cultivates saffron and offers educational farm experiences. Azienda Agrituristica Lo Zafferano offers its guests a serene and cosy family environment where they can spend long stays, weekends and romantic getaways in an agricultural context in contact with the farm animals and enjoying the flavours of Liguria: seasonal fruit and vegetables and typical products prepared according to tradition.

Saffron, which they market by drying it in stigmas so that it is ready for use in the kitchen, is a must among their 0 km products.