SATEMO SAFFRON
from Georgia
SATEMO SAFFRON
our story
Early in the morning, the crocus flower gently pushes its way out of the earth. It must be picked as early as
possible, before its lilac petals fully open.
Saffron to me is concentrated sunlight. But curiously the same sun's rays are dangerous for the spice as long as it is not yet dried.
That’s why plucking the threads and gently drying them must be completed indoors on the very day of harvest.This is a very labor and cost intensive process and the main reason saffron has always had a relatively high prize. Saffron in some countries is called red gold.
Because it is precious and has many benificial effects, far more, than a simple spice.
150-170 crocus flowers must be hand plucked and processed in order to get 1 gram of dried saffron stigmas.
Satemo Saffron is checked every year by a certified laboratory analysis in France to have all catergory I values, a quality only found in the best hand selected saffrons worldwide. What distinguishes our single origin saffron from Satemo is its fruity-floral character. Some of our customers claim it is softer in dishes and drinks and thus better accepted by children or adolescents as the saffrons from Iran, the worlds leading producer.
For our harversting team at the farm the 20-.25 days of intense harvest from mid October to early November feel like a race against time.
But there is also quite some conversation and fun happening during the so calledd mondatura phase- the picking apart of the flowers indoors. So our mostly female workers of Satemo rather enjoy the project as the final harvest of a long farming season full of corn, tomatoes, potatoes, apples and of course grapes. The traditional georgian wine making at almost each farm usually takes place immediatly before the first flowers are appearing on our safranerie, that has just the size of a soccer field. By coincidence our harvesting team has also about the size of a soccer team. We all share our goal to make saffron a new successful crop in the small country of Georgia. Like wine the crocus flower delivers new aromas and various profiles with every new season. Our products come from a specific harvesting year a sinlge small space, no mixtures, nothing is added or altered- directly from the sun to the flower and on to your body.
The Way We Work
The region is very close to the occupied territory of South Ossetia. Opportunities are fading, many youngsters have left. It is hard to find a good job. That's why the seasonal encome offers at least some financial independence to the local women, who help us harvesting.
Separating the three red stigmas from each flower can take six hours or more per day.. For every hour spent in the field, three more are needed at the table — time to talk about everything.. The big advantage of saffron is that it is almost weigtless. That is why even women, who are élder and a bit weak on their feet can paticipate, and as they say Saffron has helped them to stay in contact with their fellow villagers.
Satemo Village
Satemo is a quiet village in central Georgia, home to around 500 residents. It is about 15 km from Gori.
Here, life moves gently with the seasons, guided by fertile fields, clear mountain air, and a close-knit community. harmony with nature.
But the last years it is harder and harder to make a
decent income as a small farmer in Georgia.
By buying our saffon you can help them.