In the Kherson region, the most valuable spice is collected: carefully, always by hand. We are talking about saffron – a genus of herbaceous perennials of the northern family. It is grown as a source of spices. Another spice is also called crocus.
In the Kherson farm, where crocuses are grown, the final product is small, but a lot of manual labor. That is why the spice is so expensive. From 2 to 15 dollars per gram. It has been used for thousands of years: in cosmetology, pharmacy and cooking. Added to desserts, other dishes, even alcohol.
“In 20 minutes I collected 500 flowers. The dry mass will be 2-3 g. Yesterday harvested, and in the morning the flowers can grow again. It takes a long time to collect, so it takes patience. We use saffron. And then we cannot take other spices. Because saffron helps to reveal all the qualities of any dish. In addition, it gives a beautiful color, “- say the farm.
The Demchenko family was one of the first in Ukraine to venture to create the saffron spice. Crocus bulbs were imported from the Netherlands. Surprisingly, the soil and climate of Kherson region approached the plant. The flower does not require significant watering and special care, is not afraid of cold and multiplies quickly. Currently, saffron is grown in almost all regions of Ukraine.
“The best in the world is Kashmiri saffron. It is grown in one region of India. In second place is Spanish. Our Ukrainian saffron resembles Spanish saffron in its qualities, ”sums up Oleh Demchenko, a farmer.
So far, saffron is harvested in Ukraine no more than 10 kilograms a year. But Oleg Demchenko suggests that in a few years it may be a harvest at the level of Greece, up to 10 tons per year.
