Saffron Spice Trade Commodity

Timeline

1. 1581–1584Kashmir Valley · KashmirStigmas were hand-picked when saffron bloomed in early autumn each year, dried at low temperatures and wrapped in fine linen; Kashmir and Khorasan enjoyed the highest reputation for vivid color and strong aroma, and scarce output made saffron a luxury priced by troy weight.
2. 1583–1587Aleppo · Ottoman EmpireSaffron traveled by caravan eastward from Persia and southward from Kashmir, being consolidated with pepper, frankincense, and other spices at Levantine hubs like Aleppo and Damascus; Ottoman tariffs and quality inspection under Venetian consular oversight were key links in the trade.
3. 1585–1590Venice · Republic of VeniceVenetian spice merchants repackaged saffron into small pouches and carried it overland to northern Italy, Germany, and France; apothecaries used it per pharmacopoeia recipes for analgesic and menstrual remedies, while textile workshops dyed clerical vestments and noble silks with it, at prices rivaling gold.