The “red gold” of the Lake carries Germani’s name
Zafferano Collina d’Oro is the result of the entrepreneurial intuition of Rolando Germani, whose great ambition was to introduce one of the least known products from Como on both the Italian and the foreign market. Internationally acclaimed for its natural beauty, Lake Como is one of the most beloved destinations also for world-famous actors such as George Clooney and Robert De Niro, and it has been the unique setting for the saffron cultivation of Mr. Germani.
In 2013 Mr. Germani started the initial process of testing and preparation with a plantation of 135 crocus bulbs. Only one year later the cultivation counted 8 thousands bulbs and that figure was expected to grow.
A lucky combination of elements made Zafferano Collina d’Oro first harvest really special: high-quality bulbs, coming from the best Italian regions and from the Spanish area of Castilla La Mancha together with the mild climate and the quality of the soil, rich in minerals and sunny.
The saffron cultivation is 100% eco-friendly, using no additives or chemical substances.
The saffron flowers are harvested at dawn, between October and November, and the whole growing process mixes manual work with the use of few simple tools. After preparing the soil, the company follows the harvest and the following stages of deflowering, desiccation and pistils storage.