Colorado’s hot, dry summers and cold winters can make growing crops challenging. But researchers at Colorado State University are studying whether those same conditions could make the state an ideal place to grow one of the world’s most valuable spices: saffron.
Often called “red gold,” saffron is prized for its flavor, color and rarity. It can also yield significant returns for growers, with current market prices around $10,000 per pound.
For CSU master’s student Reece Bailey, Colorado’s challenging climate may actually be part of the opportunity.
“Colorado’s climate is a very tough climate to grow a lot of crops in,” Bailey said. “And if we look at saffron and where it evolved, it actually evolved in a climate very similar to ours in Greece and Iran, where they have long, hot, dry summers and then cold, wetter winters.”…