La fiesta de la Rosa del Azáfran( The Saffron festival)

In addition to food coloring and seasoning, its distinctive qualities have been appreciated

as a textile and wool dye, incense, beauty product, and perfume. Saffron's pharmacological

properties have played a role as a therapeutic agent in cultures of healing due to

antidepressive, antitumoral, and anticarcinogenic effects of certain saffron components.

When it comes to the geography of saffron, Spain is an obvious starting point. Since the

14th century, Spain has been a prominent exporter of the highest quality saffron in the

world. In the past, Spanish saffron was cultivated over a remarkably large surface area. In

the 1970s, it was the world's largest producer of saffron with around 6,000 hectares under

cultivation. Total acreage under cultivation has since decreased to less than 100 hectares.

In spite of the rapid decline in saffron cultivation, a few hundred Spanish farmers

passionately sustain this labor-intensive cottage industry, in part because of the income

derived from their marketable product but also because of their commitment to carrying on

centuries old agricultural practices. Saffron enthusiasts continue to wander through

Castilla-La Mancha on saffron tours in search of the agricultural landscapes and edible

delights of saffron and to meet saffron growers themselves.







Fiesta de la Rosa del Azafran (Festival of the Saffron Rose),is a celebration dedicated to

the people and places with deep connections to saffron cultivation. The geographical and

cultural characteristics give rise to La Mancha saffron, which is famous for its distinct

aroma and ability to provide intense color to whatever it is added.

The star of the festival is the purple Saffron flower, which provides the vital

canary-yellow hue of Spain's famous paella.
Dating back to 1963, the event aims to promote the cultural identity of La Mancha through

craft, food and competitions. Saffron plays a prominent role in this as around 90% of

Spain's saffron production is from this region.

The Monda competitions are a particular highlight, where participants separate the saffron

spice from the flower, a delicate process that only the nimblest of fingers can achieve.

Held in the town's Plaza de España, there are Monda contests for children, locals and also

experts from other Spanish regions. The National Monda on the final day is worth seeing as

all competitors wear traditional dress from their respective regions.

Echar una Siesta!

When is the Siesta?

There are two periods of siesta in Spain - siesta for shops and businesses, during which time many people go to a bar or restaurant, and then siesta for the restaurants, who obviously can't rest when everyone wants to come and eat. The siesta for shops and businesses is from approximately 2pm until 5pm while bars and restaurants close from about 4pm until about 8 or 9pm.

Why do the Spanish Stop for Siesta? -

The Traditional Reason - Spain is a hot country, especially mid-afternoon, and the traditional reason for the siesta is for the workers in the fields to shelter from the heat. They would then feel refreshed after their sleep and would work until quite late in the evening, longer than they would have been able to without the siesta.

The Modern Interpretation- While people do still work in the fields in Spain, this reason doesn't account for why shops and businesses in big cities close down today. Indeed, offices can get hot too, but the invention of air conditioning has helped in this department. So why do they still do it?
One big reason is because the Spanish like to have a long lunch. At home, mother will cook a huge lunch for the whole family (and yes, that does include for her 35-year-old accountant son, he'll still come home for mommy's cooking). The meal could last up to two hours (longer if time allows). A rest before going back to work is essential after that.
Another reason why the Spanish stop for siesta is not so much out of need but out of want - the Spanish like stopping for a while at lunch time. It allows them to stay up later in the evening without fading (you'll rarely hear a Spaniard saying 'I think I'll have an early night tonight'). Subsequently, if it has been a really late night, an afternoon sleep can be very welcome.

The Spanish nightlife is an all-night affair - visitors to Spain are surprised to see the streets just starting to fill up at midnight and are even more surprised to see people in their 60s and 70s still out at 3am. They wouldn't be able to do this without a siesta.

However, today many people are unable to take a siesta and their lives haven't collapsed around them. The gradual disappearance of the siesta has not changed the late-night lifestyle, which means the Spanish sleep an average of one hour less per day than other European countries.

Today, the siesta hits Madrid and Barcelona much less than it hits Granada or Salamanca. Big supermarkets and department stores also stay open during the siesta. In winter, when the heat isn't stifling, this can be a good time to go shopping as many Spaniards will stay away during this time.

But do the Spanish Actually Sleep During the Siesta?

Today's hectic lifestyle will often not allow people the time to sleep, but many still do their best to fit a little nap in when they can. But no, the Spanish office is not equipped with a bed out back for the director to catch forty winks - though I'm sure he'd like one!

A six-year Greek study found that those who took a 30-minute siesta at least three times a week had a 37% lower risk of heart-related death.
Experts said napping might help people to relax, reducing their stress levels. It is known that countries where siestas are common tend to have lower levels of heart disease, but studies have shown mixed results.
The researchers found those who took naps of any frequency and duration had a 34% lower risk of dying from heart disease than those who did not take midday naps.
Those who took naps of more than 30 minutes three or more times a week had a 37% lower risk.

Among working men who took midday naps, there was a 64% reduced risk of death compared with a 36% reduced risk among non-working men.
Taking a siesta may reduce stress.

1. The real siesta takes place in bed and in pyjamas, but a comfortable sofa is also fine if no bed is not available.

2. Timing is very important. A siesta should last between 15-30 minutes, no more.

3. Don't let anything disturb you. The siesta is a very serious business. Some people can't enjoy a siesta unless the TV or radio is on. If these kind of things help you to fall asleep, use them.

4. The best way to wake up from a siesta is to hear a delicate human voice. If you don't have anybody near, remember to use an alarm clock.

Tips:

Right after the siesta, a glass of water and a piece of chocolate will make your life easier. Disconnect all telephones!