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Our Story

English Saffron Flowers with Stamen

English Saffron Flowers with Stamen

©English Saffron

Bottle of English Saffron Gin

Bottle of English Saffron Gin

©English Saffron

Ingredients in our Gin

Ingredients in our Gin

©English Saffron

Dave.jpg

Dave.jpg

English Saffron Gin Bottle Label

English Saffron Gin Bottle Label

©English Saffron

Harvesting English Saffron

Harvesting English Saffron

©English Saffron

English Saffron flower with stigma

English Saffron flower with stigma

©Emilyattwood Photography

English Saffron Cocktail, Gillrays's

English Saffron Cocktail, Gillrays's

©Gillray's, London Marriott Hotel County Hall

A bee on an English Saffron flower

A bee on an English Saffron flower

©Emilyattwood Photography

English Saffron Gin with seal

English Saffron Gin with seal

©English Saffron

English Saffron Flower in Bloom

English Saffron Flower in Bloom

©Emilyattwood Photography

English Saffron flower

English Saffron flower

©English Saffron

Gillrays Cod w. English Saffron Mayo

Gillrays Cod w. English Saffron Mayo

©Gillray's, London Marriott Hotel County Hall

In 2004 an eccentric geophysicist named David Smale decided he finally wanted to put his skills to his passion: food. With David it couldn't just have been any food. It had to be something that would utilise all his skills plus a large amount of research, experimentation and patience. And of course it had to be something unusual, not on the market as such, otherwise what would be the point? 

 

Having many ideas over the years, one without a doubt stuck: saffron. Not only does saffron have an explicably complex flavour but it is perhaps even more difficult to cultivate. The perfect challenge...

 

In the 14th Century Saffron Walden emerged as England's major area for growing and trading saffron. This fact set David's aspiration to doubtless resolution. 

 

From one man, one small field, a few saffron crocuses and his family of crocers (saffron 'pickers'). We are reviving the lost art of saffron growing in England and making it taste spiffingly good along the way! Chin chin!

 

 

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