History of saffron foods, saffron stigmas were also soaked in water to yield a golden-yellow solution that was used as a fabric dye. Some historians believe that saffron first came to China with Mongol invaders by way of Persia. Saffron is mentioned in the ancient Chinese medical text "Shennong Ben Cao Jing", believed to be from the 3rd century AD (but attributed to mythological emperor Shennong). Yet the Chinese were referring to saffron as having a Kashmiri provenance. The Chinese medical expert Wan Zhen wrote that "[t]he habitat of saffron is in Kashmir, where people grow it principally to offer it to the
Trade and use of saffron buns" signify Methodist Sunday School outings and activities. Moroccans use saffron in their "tajine"-prepared dishes, including "kefta" (meatballs with tomato), "mqualli" (a citron-chicken dish), and "mrouzia" (succulent lamb dressed with plums and almonds). Saffron is key in the "chermoula" herb mixture that flavours many Moroccan dishes. Uzbeks use it in a special rice-based offering known as "wedding "plov"" (cf. pilaf). Saffron is also essential in "chelow kabab", the Iranian national dish. The use of saffron in south Indian cuisine is perhaps best characterised by the eponymous Kesari bhath - a semolina based dessert from Karnataka. South Asian cuisines also use