Experts in Saxony and Thuringia have started harvesting saffron. Horticultural expert Harald Alex from Döbrichau (North Saxony) reports that "real work" awaits saffron growers until the beginning of November. The purple crocuses have coped well with the snow and frost this year.
Alex grows saffron crocuses in his own garden in Döbrichau and carefully plucks their flowers by hand. Then, according to Alex, "the really time-consuming part begins", as the orange-red saffron threads have to be snipped from the flowers one by one. "You have to be patient," says the pensioner. This year, he is receiving help from Lebenshilfe Torgau. After harvesting, the threads are dried and packed in airtight packaging.
According to Alex, around one gram of saffron can be obtained from around 200 flowers. Last year, he harvested around 40 grams of the luxury spice, this year it is expected to be significantly more.
