🌱 Certified Organic Saffron Suolo e Salute · IT BIO 004 Hand-Harvested in Val d'Orcia Pienza · Tuscany
Our Organic SaffronRed Gold of Tuscany
Certified Organic · Hand-Picked · Val d'Orcia · Harvest Experience
The World's Most Precious Spice
The Crocus sativus blooms just once a year, around 20 October, at the first light of dawn. Each flower bears three precious crimson threads that we pick one by one, by hand, before the sun rises too high. It takes around 150,000 flowers to produce a single kilogram of saffron — it is this extraordinary rarity that makes it one of the most prized ingredients in the world.
At Podere Spedalone we grow our saffron entirely organically, certified by Suolo e Salute (IT BIO 004), in harmony with the land and the seasons of the Val d'Orcia.
Certified Organic
Suolo e Salute IT BIO 004 — no pesticides, no chemical fertilisers. Only the volcanic soils of the Val d'Orcia.
Hand-Harvested
The threads are extracted by hand, flower by flower, at dawn. An ancient skill that cannot be mechanised.
One Week a Year
The bloom lasts only a few days each October. This makes every gram of our saffron truly one of a kind.
Val d'Orcia UNESCO
Grown among the UNESCO-listed Tuscan hills. A landscape without equal, reflected in the character of every flower.
Rich in Antioxidants
Crocin, safranal, picrocrocin: an exceptional concentration of bioactive compounds appreciated across centuries of tradition.
In the Kitchen & Beyond
Perfect for risotto, pasta, herbal teas and infusions. A tiny pinch delivers extraordinary colour and aroma.
"At dawn on 20 October, among the golden hills of the Val d'Orcia, the crocus opens its violet petals for just a few precious minutes."Podere Spedalone · Pienza, Val d'Orcia · Certified Organic Farming
How Our Saffron is Born
Everything begins in autumn, when the Val d'Orcia hillsides turn violet. Every stage — from planting to harvest, from drying to storage — is tended to personally by our team.
At Dawn,
Flower by Flower
The Crocus sativus blooms just once, for a handful of days around 20 October. The flowers must be gathered at first light, before sunlight damages the delicate threads — an ancient rhythm that marks each year at the farm.
Each flower is picked whole and handled with care. Then, around the table, three crimson stigmas are gently separated from each bloom — meticulous work that requires patience and respect for this extraordinary plant.
Around 150,000 flowers for one kilogram of dried saffron: it is this loving labour that makes it the most precious crop we grow.
Separating the Threads
After picking, the whole family and the Podere team gather around the table for the sorting: each flower is opened and its three stigmas drawn out by experienced hands.
The threads are then carefully dried at low temperature to preserve the full aromatic profile — crocin, safranal, picrocrocin — that defines the colour, fragrance and quality of the final spice.
The result is a pure, whole, organic saffron: exactly as nature intended.
The Benefits of Organic Saffron
Known since antiquity for its properties, saffron is today the subject of growing scientific interest. Its bioactive compounds — crocin, safranal and picrocrocin — have been appreciated across centuries of culinary and natural tradition around the world.
Mood & Emotional Wellbeing
Crocin and safranal have been studied in relation to wellbeing neurotransmitters — serotonin, dopamine and GABA. Preliminary research has explored their potential link to emotional balance and everyday stress management.
Memory & Cognitive Function
Saffron's antioxidants — crocin, crocetin and safranal — are studied for their neuroprotective properties and possible support for memory and learning as part of a balanced lifestyle.
Powerful Antioxidant
Saffron is one of the most concentrated natural sources of antioxidants. The deep red of crocin is the visible signature of this potency — these compounds are traditionally associated with general cellular wellbeing.
Anti-inflammatory Properties
Preliminary studies suggest that some of saffron's bioactive compounds may contribute to the modulation of the body's inflammatory response. Research in this area is ongoing.
Relaxation & Sleep Quality
Safranal has been studied in relation to the central nervous system. Some preliminary research explores its potential contribution to a sense of calm and to improved rest as part of a healthy lifestyle.
Cardiovascular Wellbeing
The antioxidant properties of saffron are also explored in relation to cardiovascular health. Some research investigates its possible contribution in the context of a balanced diet and active lifestyle.
📋 Important notice: The information about the possible benefits of saffron on this page is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It is based on widely available general knowledge and scientific literature in the public domain — the same kind of informational content found in encyclopaedias, wellness publications and science communication sites. Podere Spedalone is an agricultural food producer, not a pharmaceutical or healthcare company. We make no medical claims, and we do not guarantee, certify or accept responsibility for any specific effects on health. Our saffron is a quality organic food product. Always consult a qualified doctor or healthcare professional before using any food or substance for therapeutic purposes.
Harvest Saffron With Us
A genuine, once-in-a-lifetime experience: join our team at dawn to pick the crocus flowers, discover the secrets of thread extraction, and sit down with us for lunch with the flavours of the Podere.
The Harvest & Tuscan Lunch
Around 20 October, when the crocuses open at dawn, we open the gates of the farm for an exclusive guided harvest. You will work alongside our team — picking the flowers, drawing out the threads, learning the history and care behind every gram of our saffron.
At the end of the morning, we all sit down together for a farm-to-table Tuscan lunch prepared with the produce of Podere Spedalone.
- Guided crocus flower picking at dawn with our team
- Thread extraction and sorting by hand
- Introduction to our organic growing and drying process
- Full farm-to-table Tuscan lunch with local wines
- A small pouch of our saffron to take home
🗓 Available around 20 October · Advance reservation required · Limited places
Saffron in Val d'Orcia
From the morning bloom to the table: the journey of our organic saffron across the hills of Pienza.
The Farm & Its Seasons
Saffron is one of many gifts the Val d'Orcia brings us each year. At Podere Spedalone you can live the authentic seasons of a certified organic farm in one of Tuscany's most beautiful landscapes.
Truffle Hunting
Guided truffle experiences through the Val d'Orcia woodlands with our lagotto dogs. An unforgettable journey for the senses.
Olive Harvest
Join the autumn olive harvest and discover how we produce our hand-crafted organic extra virgin olive oil from tree to bottle.
Cooking Classes
Learn to make fresh pasta and classic Tuscan dishes using organic produce from the farm — memories you can recreate at home.
Horse Riding
Ride through the golden UNESCO-listed hills of the Val d'Orcia. Routes for all abilities, with or without experience.
La Pecora Bianca
Our farm-to-table restaurant where the Podere's saffron becomes a starring ingredient. Reservation recommended.
The Kitchen Garden
Explore our organic vegetable garden across the seasons and discover how we grow and harvest the produce that feeds the whole farm.
Everything You Need to Know
Where is your saffron grown?
Our saffron (Crocus sativus) is grown entirely at Podere Spedalone, Pienza, in the heart of the UNESCO Val d'Orcia. Certified organic by Suolo e Salute (IT BIO 004): no pesticides, no chemical fertilisers — just the ancient red soil of Tuscany.
When is the saffron harvested?
The bloom takes place around 20 October. The flowers open at dawn and must be picked within a few hours. The exact date can vary by a few days depending on seasonal conditions.
How do I join the harvest experience?
The harvest experience is available by advance reservation, around 20 October. €150 per person, including guided harvest, thread extraction and a full farm-to-table Tuscan lunch. Places are limited — contact us to reserve.
What exactly does the €150 package include?
Morning crocus flower picking with our team, thread extraction alongside our team, an explanation of our organic growing and drying process, a full farm-to-table Tuscan lunch with local wines, and a small pouch of our saffron to take home.
Are the health benefits certified?
No. The health benefit information on our site is for general informational and educational purposes only, based on widely available general knowledge and scientific literature. Podere Spedalone is a food producer — we make no medical claims and do not guarantee or certify any specific health outcomes. Always consult a qualified doctor or healthcare professional.
Where can I buy your saffron?
Our saffron is produced in limited quantities and sold directly from the farm. Purchase at reception during your visit or contact us in advance to check seasonal availability.
Is the experience suitable for families with children?
Absolutely. The harvest is a wonderful experience for children, who learn first-hand the value of the land and the seasons. Contact us to organise a family visit — guests of all ages are very welcome.
How to Book
Write or call us — the harvest experience is by advance reservation only and places are strictly limited. Around 20 October, the Val d'Orcia turns violet.
Ready to Experience the Harvest?
We'll See You in October
Book your organic saffron harvest experience with Tuscan lunch included. Limited places, advance reservation required.
Contact Us to Book ← All Farm ProduceSocietà Agricola La Dolce Vita S.R.L. · Podere Spedalone, Pienza (SI) · Suolo e Salute IT BIO 004 · Oper. ASS59424SI1979 · Cert. No. ITBIO00438000042472024001 · © Podere Spedalone · All rights reserved