GUSTI Blog

Why the DOP Saffron Navelli Is the Best of the World and Why It Is So Expensive.

Watch these 2 lovely videos below. They were shot in Navelli, in Abruzzi, where the famous saffron is cultivated. Remember, to get 1 kilo of saffron, you need to pick 250,000 flowers! Look at the families who pick the flowers at dawn in October. Their backs must be broken! I feel for them! Don't you? Well, after feeling guilty, you can order the DOP Navelli saffron here and enjoy the best saffron in the world.

Saffron from Cooperativa Navelli - DOP zafferano dell'Aquila - In the NYTImes!!!

  I just called Gina to congratulate her for the beautiful article in the NYTimes which features our saffron from Cooperativa Navelli (a town near L'Aquila, in Abruzzo), a group of 97 families that makes the only DOP Zafferano dell'Aquila. WOW, to be in the NYTimes! Huge!

As many of our producers, Gina (aka Giovanina Sarra, in the article) is very difficult to reach. The cooperative has one number that works as telephone and fax; no cell phone; no email. Perhaps smoke signals would work? After the earthquake, last year, they were also without internet connection for several months. But they have no email, anyhow. It took me two full days to find her on the phone. Gina is the daughter of the founder of the cooperative and she is the factotum, as she puts it. She is happy about the article and no, she didn't know it was out. She gave me the email address of her nephew Simone (also NYTimes famous) to whom I will send the link. Will they ever get it to read it?