ABOUT
Zafferano Montebore is the outcome of three young people’s enterprising spirit which started in 2016.
Our fields are situated in Dernice, a wonderful countryside village in the Province of Alessandria.
Their solar exposition and virgin soil have been perfect elements to start our cultivation.
Before planting saffron corms, we attended specific courses to know this spice better and its planting techniques and later we planted 2,000 corms in a small field.
The results obtained at quantity and quality level, with sacrifice and hard work, made us plant other 10,000 corms and we are going to raise this quantity.
Tortona Hills are a well-known area, rich in typical Agro-food products obtained through traditional and over time consolidated methods: this has encouraged us to find something which could combine with all the local gastronomic specialities on our tables (from fruit to cheese) and obtain a good tastes combination.
OUR SAFFRON
Our mission is “respect the earth”, the environment and nature pace through natural planting methods. Natural farmimg is not only a commitment for our physical well-being, but also for environmental protection and biodiversity conservation. Saffron plantation is done, according to tradition, through a technique called “on raised beds” to have a better drainage and plant protection. Our excellent position and the growing system guarantee us wonderful results, putting our Zafferano Montebore on the highest level. Our saffron is steadily controlled and analysed, it has “First Category” quality assurance certification and it obtained ISO/TS 3632 Certification.
Saffron harvesting takes place from October to November. Flowers are picked manually in the early morning when they are “still sleeping”. Threads are carefully separated from the flower by hand and they are dried in professional dehydrators. We control weight and humidity of saffron.
-
Saffron is rich in magnesium which plays an important role for muscle contraction and transmission of nerve impulses. It is also useful in case of mood disorders and difficulty falling asleep.
(Source: viversano.net)
-
Saffron colour is due to crocin and crocetin, two antioxidant carotenoids.
(Source: viversano.net)
-
Studies have shown saffron can improve our learning ability and memory, owing to the powerful antioxidant crocetin.
(Source: viversano.net)
-
Saffron has revitalising, antioxidant, cleansing and anti-inflammatory properties and thus it can be used in cosmetic products to obtain a smooth, hydrated, firm and glowing skin, it avoids skin aging and spots.
-
About 150 flowers are necessary to obtain 1gr of this spice.
-
Corms multiply from 30 % to double each year.
-
Each corm can produce from 1 to 5 flowers (one flower if the corm is small, 7 or 8 flowers if it is very big).
-
In nature there are wild flowers, very similar to saffron flowers, but they are toxic and they are called “autumn crocus” or meadow saffron.
