Saffron belongs to the family Iridaceae, genius Crocus and species Crocus sativus. The word "saffron" immediately stems from the Latin word safranum via the 12th-century Old French term safran. The French was borrowed from Arabic za'farān, and ultimately from Persian zarparān which literally means "golden leaves". The Latin form safranum is also the source of the Catalan safrà, Italian zafferano, but Portuguese açafrão, and Spanish azafrán come from the Arabic az-zaferán. The Latin term crocus is certainly a Semitic loanword. It is adapted from the Aramaic form kurkema via the Arabic term kurkum and the Greek intermediate κρόκος krokos, which once again signifies "yellowish". The Sanskrit kunkumam might be ultimately the origin, or in some way related to the Semitic term. The common names are in Hindi - kesar, zaffran; Sanskrit - avarakta, saurab, mangalya, agnishikha, kumkuma, mangal, kusrunam; English- saffron; Arab and Persian - zafrah, zipharana; Ben - jafran; Bom - safran, kessar; Mah - kecara; Guj - keshar; Tel - kunkuma-purva, kunkumma-purru; Tam. and Mal. - kunkumappu; Can. and Kon. - kunkuma-kesara; Fr.and Ger. – safran. Saffron has been mentioned in many ancient mythologies and has a long history of use in various cultures. In Greek mythology, saffron is said to have been first used by the god Hermes to cure his injuries. It is also said to have been used by the goddess Aphrodite in her bath to enhance her beauty. In Hindu mythology, saffron is associated with Lord Vishnu and is believed to symbolize purity, courage, and sacrifice. It is also used in various religious ceremonies and rituals. In Persian mythology, saffron is believed to have been created from the tears of the legendary hero Kaveh, who led a revolt against an evil king. It is also said to have been used by the goddess Anahita to heal the sick and the wounded. In ancient Egyptian mythology, saffron was used in medicine and was believed to have healing powers. It was also used in perfumes, cosmetics, and other beauty products. Saffron also appears in the Bible, where it is referenced as a valuable spice. In the Song of Solomon, the bridegroom praises his bride's lips as being like a thread of scarlet, which some scholars interpret as a reference to saffron. Overall, saffron has been highly valued throughout history and has been associated with various spiritual, cultural, and medicinal properties. Its mention in mythology further reflects its importance and significance in different cultures (Wikipedia, 2024b). Saffron's cultural significance spans centuries, evident in various traditions and culinary practices: Greek Mythology: Celebrated for both its color and supposed healing properties. Ancient Rome: Used in perfumes, medicines, and as an aphrodisiac. Indian Ayurveda: Known for its therapeutic attributes, used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat ailments like arthritis and menstrual discomfort. One of the legacies of saffron farming practice for centuries in and around the Pampore Karewas of Kashmir in India is that this ancient farming system continues to inspire family farmers and local communities through their livelihood security that it provides for more than 17,000 farm families. Kashmiri village women contribute to this agriculture heritage site through traditional tilling to flower picking over 3,200 hectares dedicated to the legendary saffron crop cultivation at Pampore. Saffron is the bright red stigmas of the saffron crocus, a lilac-colored flower that primarily grows in a geographical band that stretches from Spain through the Mediterranean region and into the Middle East and Asia. However, many people may know of saffron from the times they've enjoyed Indian food, which makes a lot of sense since the cuisine features the spice prominently in many dishes. In this review article on Origin, Taxonomy, Botanical Description, Genetics and Cytogenetics, Genetic Diversity, Breeding and Cultivation of Saffron are discussed.
