'Saffron tourism' takes hold in Italy, harvest underway

(ANSA) - ROME, NOV 5 - Saffron tourism is the holiday ofchoice for a growing number of people fascinated by the smallpurple autumn crocus that grows in Abruzzo, Lazio, Tuscany andSardinia.
   The trick is to catch the flower just before it opens in orderto preserve the three to five orange-red stigmas that must bedried to obtain the precious spice that adds taste to manydishes including saffron risotto and ice cream.
   On the market, the dried product costs around 30 euro per gram;if it is of quality one gram can be used to make at least 20portions of risotto, while low-quality saffron will deliverbetween three and four portions at most.
   The harvest takes place between October and November and thebulbs have acclimatised well in the highland and inland areas,in the central Apennine Abruzzo region where L'Aquila saffronboasts Protected Designation of Origin quality label covering 13municipalities, but also in southern Lazio, Tuscany andSardinia.
   "The cost of this rare spice is high because about 100,000flowers and over 420 hours of labour are required to produce onekilogramme of saffron in threads," says Sonia Fiucci, presidentof the 'Saffron Roads' association, which together with themaster ice-cream maker Francesco Dioletta organises 'Gather,know and taste' event in San Pio delle Camere (L'Aquila)attracting 150 visitors a day during the harvest season.
   The crocus flower is also edibile and can be used in salads butalso to make jam. Sheep, mice, moles and wild boar are fond ofit too, which is why the saffron fields are all fenced off.
   For those with a green fingers, there is the 'Furrow Festival'in August, with demonstrations on how to grow the bulbs. (ANSA).