Saffron of Solidarity from Villacañas.

Villacañas is a little village located in Castilla-La Mancha (Spain). Due to the current socioeconomic situation, many door manufactures closed-down and thousands of our neighbours have been made redundant. To alleviate this situation a group of Villacañeros has decided to launch “Asociación Azafrán Solidario La Mancha (ASOMA)”.

Saffron (azafrán) is an incredible spice to perfume your dishes. The lilac-purple flowers produce vibrant red stigmas, which have been used medicinally and for flavouring and colouring dishes since Roman times. Nowadays, saffron is used in recipes such as paella, soups, stews, fishes and meat. Along with being used in cooking, saffron also finds its way into homeopathy and is regarded as being anti-depressive, sedative and even aphrodisiac.

Saffron is the most expensive seasoning in the world, sometimes is compared with gold. It is farmed mainly around the Mediterranean and in Northern Africa. The most valuable saffron is from our region -La Mancha- famous for its colour, scent and taste. Saffron of Solidarity from Villacañas will have the granted “Protected Designation of Origin La Mancha”.

Agricultural cooperative project.

ASOMA has been constituted as an Agricultural Cooperative where every future benefits will be reinvested in the cooperative. Our mission is retrieving the saffron harvesting tradition with the combination of new technologies and local workforce. Every future benefits will be reinvested in the cooperative, generating new work placements

In this first year we highly need to invest in workforce, machinery/tools, saffron bulbs and compost/manure, to prepare the cultivation area. Every 35.000€ collected will allow us to cultivate half hectare; create 10 seasonal work placements and 1 full time position along the year. In 4 years time the saffron bulbs productivity will be multiplied, consequently we will request more workforce. 

·         Currently we count with over 20 acres donated by supportive neighbours.

·         Over 60 neighbours has expressed their interest in working with the cooperative in areas such as cultivating, harvesting, packaging and distribution.

·         Over 100 individuals are volunteering with our cooperative.

In the following video you can see some of ASOMA members that explain Why Saffron of Solidarity

How can I support Saffron of Solidarity from Villacañas?

We are really sure the next day you cook, your dishes will have a double recompense: the best flavour using the best saffron and supporting a social project to tackle unemployment and recover a tradition.

Get our recompenses. This is the first one, one gram of Saffron

Many organisations and individuals from different backgrounds are supporting us. You can receive a t-shirt, a pin, a picture, local products.... and of course saffron!

 Feel free to promote Saffron of Solidarity from Villacañas on social networks, by word of mouth or on our website. Please, do not hesitate to contact us if you have any enquiry or you would like to volunteer with us.

As you can see the rewards are more expensive than in the Spanish campaign, thats because the Shipping costs. Then, just for Shipping cost, if you are not in Spain the rewards prices are higher. But the price is perfect for the quality-price ratio.

Remember, your contribution is crucial to develop our project.

Remember, by buying our Saffron, you are helping people in Spain to create a their jobs while getting the world most expensive spice!!

It takes harvesting 1.000 flowers to produce 1 gram!!

Why Saffron?

Delicious saffron recipes may help boost your mood.

While saffron may be the world’s most expensive spice, fortunately a little goes a long way. It’s used sparingly to add golden-yellow color and a slightly floral flavor to a wide variety of Middle Eastern, African and European-inspired foods. And research suggests the spice can boost your mood, by having antidepressant effects and helping to alleviate PMS symptoms. Researchers believe that the spice works by “the same mechanism as Prozac,” helping to make the feel-good neurotransmitter serotonin more available to the brain.

Saffron has a long medicinal history as part of traditional healing; several modern research studies have hinted that the spice has possible anticarcinogenic (cancer-suppressing), anti-mutagenic (mutation-preventing), immunomodulating, and antioxidant-like properties. Saffron stigmas, and even petals, may be helpful for depression. Other controlled research studies have indicated that saffron may have many potential medicinal properties.

Italy and some middle east regions produce saffron, but the quality “Gold” comes from a very small area located center south Spain. Its size and thickness make it unique and the most demanded by gourmets. Demand is usually 2 or 3 times the annual production so only early orders get the desired product and all others end up turning for a lower quality saffron cultivated in other countries.

Saffron’s recipes from Top Chefs

Saffron will add a unique flavor and an orange coloured hint to your favourite stews, fish, pork or chicken recipes. Namely, it is the key secret spice in the famous Spanish Paella, a must have.

Saffron's aroma is often described by connoisseurs as reminiscent of metallic honey with grassy or hay-like notes, while its taste has also been noted as hay-like and sweet. Saffron also contributes a luminous yellow-orange colouring to foods.