The ancient Sumerians probably knew saffron 5000 years ago. The plant is native to the Mediterranean basin, perhaps the island of Crete, where wall paintings have been found depicting stigma being collected. Taliouine (Morocco) saffron has high levels of safranal, the substance responsible for its aroma, and phenyl ethanol, which gives it characteristic floral notes. The whole family works to gather the flowers which grow in small fields dug out of the rocky land, and then continue processing in the courtyards of their houses, while they sip saffron flavored tea.

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