THE Saffron, which the Latins call Crocus, because of its reddish Colour, is the Chive, or Thread, of a Flower of a very beautiful red at one End, and yellow at the other, which is brought from several Parts of France.
That which bears the Saffron is an Onion, or bulbous Root, almost like those of the great Shalot, except that they are a little round, and of a Colour something redder, from whence arise Stalks, adorn'd with long, green, narrow Leaves, at the End whereof comes a deadish-blue Flower, in the Middle of which are three little Threads, which is what we call Saffron.
The best Saffron, and which is most valued, is that of Boistue in Gatinois, where it is husbanded with great Care, being almost all the Riches of the Country. They plant the Onions, or Bulbs of Saffron, in Spring-Time, in Rows like the Vines, a Foot deep in the Earth: The first Year it brings nothing but the Herb, or Leaves, which remain green all the Winter long, 'till the beginning of Summer, after which the Leaves fall or dye. The second Year it returns with a gridelin Flower, in the middle of which there are three, little, reddish Threads, which is the Saffron; when it is ready to be gathered, which is in September and October, they gather it before the Sun rises, and then they retire with what they have got; and after it is clean they lay it upon Hurdles, or bake Stones, under which is a little Fire to dry it: The next Day they return to gather such as sprung a fresh since the other was got; for it is a wonderful Thing that these Bulbs recover again in four and twenty Hours, and continue several Days to be gather'd and dry'd, 'till the Roots will yield no more.
There grows in France several other Sorts of Saffron, as that of Orange, Toulouse, Angouleme, of Menille in Normandy; but the last is the worst of all, and none of the other three are so fine as the true Gatinois; for which Reason it is preferr'd before all the rest: And to have the Quality or Virtue required in it, the Chives, Threads or Hairs, which are call'd the Saffron, must be of a beautiful Colour, long and large, well tusted, of a fine red, good Smell, with the fewest yellow Threads, and as dry as is possible.
Saffron is much us'd in medicine, being one of the best Cordials we have. It serves for several Uses, because of its yellow Dye. The Germans, Dutch, and English, are such Admirers of the Gatinois Saffron, that they transport great Quantities of it every Year, in Times of Peace, into their own Countries. [Here we find our Author's Love for his own Country, or Ignorance of the Goodness of English Saffron, which is preferable to any other in the World besides, has led him into a palpable Mistake.]
As there is a great deal of Saffron-Powder sold, so it is generally a Cheat upon honest People, that being almost only sold in Powder, which has been us'd before hand by the Druggist, or Apothecary, to make Tinctures, Spirits, or the like, with. We have Saffron brought from Spain that is good for little or nothing, for besides the Cheat that may be impos'd upon us by their practice, they spoil the Saffron entirely, thro' their Ignorance, which makes them believe that the Saffron will not keep without it be put in Oil. The Antients made Pastilles with Saffron, Myrrh, Roses, Almonds, Gum-Arabick and Wine; formerly they were brought from Syria and us'd for sore Eyes, and to provoke Urine. This Paste, or Troche, was call'd Crocomagma, and by us Pastilles, or Saffron Troches; but this Remedy is little known, and of less Use at present. There may be a Salt and Extract made from Saffron, but the Dearness of 'em is the Reason there are none made.