saffron

Ingredients

Crocus sativus L., crocetin

Preparation Steps

Original Recipe Text

Saffron is utilized as a pigment for decorative elements including epigraphs and margin strips (p. 115). The colorant is derived from the stigmas of Crocus sativus L., where the primary coloring agent is crocetin, a carotenoid containing carboxyl (p. 114). In this specific manuscript, it is applied to create a mustard color background and distinct yellow-orange strips on the pages (p. 115).

Evidence

"contains 8 studded beautiful epigraphs from early 10th Century AH with beautiful illustration with golden, sky-blue, green, saffron, black, mustard color background and floral designs of diverse nature. Pages have saffron strips"

Remarks

This refers to the manuscript 'Haft Orang' (Access code: 12576/1) by Nur uddin Abd al-Rahman Jami, dated to 905 AH. The work is described as having very fine marginal corrections and complex floral designs (p. 115).