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By Wendy Holloway
Cittá della Pieve, Umbria - People are often surprised to learn that Italy is one of the world's major producers of saffron, after countries such as Iran, Spain, and India. Italian saffron comes from Sardegna, Abruzzo and now the Umbrian town of Cittá della Pieve which has had a rebirth in saffron production.
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Every October the town's saffron consortium puts on a wonderful sagra to celebrate the harvest. On a gorgeous fall day there's nothing more enjoyable than gathering the beautiful purple crocus flowers and removing the scarlet stigmas that once dried become saffron. As you work and see just how labor intensive this process is you soon understand why saffron is the world's most expensive spice!
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--contributed by Wendy Holloway (see bio), owner of the Flavor of Italy Country Inn, north Rome, and Flavor of Italy, LLC, a food & wine tour company.
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