-
Skip These Ads
-
Skip These Ads|
|
 |
Click here and add this page to your favorites!
|
Encyclopedia Britannica - Main :: SAC-SAR |
|
|
SAFFRON (Arab. za'faran) , a product manufactured from the dried stigmas and part of the style of the saffron crocus, a cultivated form of Crocus sativus; some of the wild forms (var. Thomasii, Cartwrightianus) are also employed for the manufacture. The purple flower, which blooms late
spring crocus, and the stigmas, which are protruded from the perianth, are of a characteristic orange-red colour. The fruit is rarely formed. The Egyptians, though acquainted with the bastard safflower, do not seem to have possessed saffron; but it is named in Canticles iv. 14 among other sweet-smelling herbs. It is also repeatedly mentioned (Kp&KOS) by Homer, Hippocrates and other Greek writers; and the word " crocodile " was long supposed to have been derived from Kpoios and Set?os, whence we have such stories as that " the crocodile's tears are never true save when he is forced where saffron groweth " (Fuller's Worthies). It has long been cultivated in Persia and Kashmir, and is supposed to have been introduced into China by the Mongol invasion. It is mentioned in the Chinese materia medica (Pun tsaou, 1552-1578). The chief
east
Tripoli
Saffron was used as an ingredient in many of the complicated medicines of early times. That it was very largely used in cookery is evidenced by many writers; thus Laurenbergius (Apparatus plantarum, 1632) makes the large assertion " In te familiari vix ullus est telluris habitatus angulus ubi non sit croci quotidiana usurpatio aspersi vel incocti cibis." The Chinese used also to employ it largely, and the Persians and Spaniards still mix it with their rice. As a perfume it was strewn in Greek halls, courts and theatres, and in the Romaa baths. The 'streets of Rome were sprinkled with saffron when Nero made his entry into the city. It was, however, mainly used as a dye. It was a royal colour in early Greek times, though afterwards, perhaps from its abundant use in the baths and as a scented salve, it was especially appropriated by the hetairae. In ancient Ireland a king's mantle was dyed with saffron, and even down to the 17th century the " lein-croich," or saffron-dyed shirt, was worn by persons of rank in the Hebrides. In medieval illumination it furnished, as a glaze upon burnished tinfoil, a cheap and effective substitute for gold. The sacred spot on the forehead of a Hindu pundit is also partly composed of it. Its main use in Englandwas to colour pastry and confectionery, and it is still used for this purpose in some parts of the country (notably Cornwall
formula
C421160018+H20 2C16H1906+C10H140+C6H1206. Polychlorite. Crocin. Essential oil. Sugar. Crocin, according to Watts, Dict. of Chem., has a composition of C29H42O16 or CssH420ao. This crocin is a red colouring matter, and it is surmised that the red colour of the stigmas is due to this reaction taking place in nature. Saffron is chiefly cultivated in Spain, France, Sicily, on the lower spurs of the Apennines and in Persia and Kashmir. The ground has to be thoroughly cleared of stones, manured and trenched, and the corms are planted in ridges. The flowers
paper to a depth of 2 or 3 in.; over this a cloth is laid, and next a board with a heavy weight. A strong heat is applied for about two hours so as to make the saffron " sweat," and a gentler temperature for a further period of twenty-four hours, the cake being turned every hour so that every part is thoroughly dried. This is known as cake saffron to distinguish it from hay saffron, which consists merely of the dried stigmas.The drug has naturally always been liable to great
End of Article: SAFFRON (Arab. za'faran) If you wish, you can link directly to this article.
<a href="http://jcsm.org/StudyCenter/Encyclopedia/SAC_SAR/SAFFRON_Arab_zafaran_.html"> SAFFRON (Arab. za'faran) </a> |
|
|
(Previous) SAFFLOWER (ultimately from the Arabic safra, ye... |
(Next) SAFFRON WALDEN |
Jesus Christ Saves Ministries, P.O. Box 70696, Pasadena, CA 91117JCSM is a 501(c)(3), non-profit organization. Copyright © 1997-present. |
Free & Cheap Cell
Phones |
Cheap Long Distance
Phone Service Carriers |
Talk America Local Phone Service
|
Ztel & MCI - Unlimited Long Distance
Compare
Cell Phone Plans & Companies |
International Calling Cards & Prepaid Phone Cards |
Voice Over IP Broadband Internet Phone
Service | Wireless
Phone Plans & Cheap Cell Phones
|
_____________________________________________________________________________
Online First Aid and CPR Certification . The Online Christ Centered Ministries . The Skeptic's Annotated Bible: Corrected and Explained . The Inerrancy Discussion Board . Free Email Accounts . Home Equity Loans . JasonGastrich.com . The Missions, Apologetics, and Creation Bible Conference . Young Earth Creation Science . San Diego Music Lessons . 10,000 Wise Quotes and Spiritual Sayings . Gastrich.net . Maximizing the Internet: 12 Keys to Success . Louisiana Baptist University . NKJV Web Hosting and Services . Michael Newdow . San Diego Soccer Training . Christian Guitar Lessons . Jesus Christ Saves Ministries . Eternal Security
