Wachauer Safran Manufaktur

Saffron cultivation in Lower Austria, which has been documented since around 1200 and was widespread until the 19th century, was reactivated 15 years ago. Saffron farmer Bernhard Kaar has been planting saffron again in certain areas of the Wachau since 2007.

The climate is ideal and the harvested saffron crocus threads are of a high quality and are considered to be particularly aromatic. Wachau saffron can be enjoyed processed into various high-quality products such as saffron honey, saffron vinegar or Wachau saffron red wine chocolate. It is also wonderful to experience the saffron blossom in October/November in the show garden in Dürnstein.

If you would like to take part in the saffron renaissance yourself, you can purchase saffron crocus bulbs including precise growing instructions for your own kitchen garden. Planting time is mid-August to mid-September, the saffron threads for your own kitchen can then be harvested three months later in the fall of the same year. Orders are taken all year round in the farm store or at www.wachauer-safran.at and sent out at planting time.

Groups of 15 people or more learn how the saffron pioneer first brought saffron cultivation back to the former main cultivation area, other exciting facts about the history and cultivation cycle of the plant and get to know different saffron qualities and forgeries. Samples of selected Wachau saffron products round off the one-hour event.