Yellow dye (saffron/turmeric)

Ingredients

Crocus sativus L., Curcuma domestica L., Curcuma longa L.

Preparation Steps

Original Recipe Text

Saffron (za'faran) is the stamen of Crocus sativus L. Turmeric (Zard-chube) is extracted from the roots of Curcuma domestica or Curcuma longa (p. 104).

Evidence

"the yellow dyes in Shāhnāma manuscripts AKM 4, AKM 269, Persian 9 and 933, RAS 239, and Or 420 were identified as mixture with orpiment, copper green and gold and applied to dyed paper to paint clothing, flags, and background and architectural details."

Remarks

Recognizable by the inflection point in the UV-Vis spectrum. Saffron in FORS has an inflection point at ca. 435 nm and FOMF peak at 560 nm. Turmeric in FORS is at ca. 420 nm and FOMF peak at 530 nm (pp. 104-105).