Halfway between Brussels and Liège , not far from the city of Namur , we regain the only professional orange yellow farm in Belgium , called " Le Safran de Cotchia " . The idea of cultivating saffron crocus in Belgium was a gamble of Eric Léonard and his wife , motivated partially by a motivation to " go back to basics " by working the land . But the farm ’s history did not start with the culture of this coveted flower , known as cherry gold . It is the current chapter of a life in which entrepreneurship and lovemaking for the land have always been closely yoke .
An entrepreneurial spiritIt all began in 1985 , when Eric Leonard and his brother take over their father ’s farm , which covered approximately 145 hectare . " At the time , we were growing traditional crops , such as Beta vulgaris and corn . The first CAP reform quickly top us to set part of our fields aside . My comrade and I decided to stay to cultivate our land , even if it prevent us from having access to the premiums . That ’s when the farm experienced its first diversification , because on those 25 hectares set away for fallow , we decide to implant blackcurrant . Many people considered us crazy at the time . However , it was a successful gamble , until the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 , which drastically reduced prices . From 40 Belgian Francs per kilo , we then went down to 4 Belgian Francs . It was our first big shock , " aver Eric Léonard .
After that , the producer decided to embark on a completely unlike project : to create the first on - farm butchery in Belgium . " At the prison term , I see my married woman , who was train as a butcher and caterer . Soon , our business sector grew . We had employee and the massacre was a great success . However , after 19 geezerhood of that , we want a change and to go back to the res publica , which we were missing more and more . It was after watching a program about a Crocus sativus farm in France that 3 day afterwards , we went there to pick up more about it . Afterwards , we brought 1,500 bulbs back to our farm . Although this first attempt was only moderately good , we decided to give up the butcher ’s shop to initiate growing saffron in 2009 . Once again , we may have been considered fools . "
Saffron : a sustainable crop with 100 % manual of arms laborThe first year , Mr. and Mrs. Leonard fetch 150,000 bulbs back to their farm . 11 years later , they were civilize about 600,000 of them on 2.8 hectare . " The bulbs are normally planted in August . They then flower in October / November . Currently , we are at the end of the flowering period . The leaves then occur out and are dried out in April / May . Then , the bulb is multiply for another blossoming in October . to prevent the developing of diseases , we recommend replant the electric-light bulb every 3 - 4 years . "
Saffron does not need any phytosanitary product : " If the soil is sufficiently balanced , there is no motivation to add input . As far as insecticides are concerned , saffron is presently free of plague . We can not use herbicides , as they would take a toll on the development of the bloom . The weeding is first done through thermic burns , and now we are moving on to mechanical weeding . It is important to make out that in a saffron farm , everything is done manually or mechanically . Although the ideal soil for the crop is an aerated one with limestone that is well irrigate , we school the flower on a very weighed down , very wet and silty soil , so we can say that orange yellow adapts to any territory . And we have achieved this by adapt the cultivation techniques to the precondition of the Belgian soil . "
Saffron in Belgium : a product with a still underdeveloped marketAlthough saffron merchandise have now found their market , Eric Léonard has had to redouble his efforts and calculate on introduction to develop his clientele . " Unlike other crop , there is no saffron sphere . Saffron growers will therefore have to develop their own client portfolios . And to do that , in addition to being a good manufacturer , you have to be a good sales rep . Although most of our customer today are renowned chefs and bistros , we had to bring out saffron crocus in Belgium , which was not really have intercourse by pro at the fourth dimension . It took a huge endeavour . "
" Moreover , it is difficult to make a animation from orange yellow product alone , so we diversified with the exploitation of a reach of deduct intersection such as jams and mustard greens , as saffron is a formidable flavor enhancer .
Mr. and Mrs. Léonard also look for to advance the use of saffron in the paramedical sphere . " Saffron is a very well relaxant . in person , I utilize it to help me sleep and it is very efficacious .
A yr rarify by the consequences of the wellness crisisBesides sell its products in Belgium and export bulbs , the company also makes some income by offering visit to the saffron farm . " Normally , the equivalent of 2 coaches per calendar week visit the saffron farm . Due to Covid-19 , we have barely had 2 or 3 coaches since the outset of the year . This represent a significant loss of turnover . The closure of restaurants for 3 months in Belgium has also cause us to drop off 22 % of our turnover . Moreover , we fear that the post will affect us even more during the holiday season , as a large share of our sales event is ordinarily carry out in Christmas food market . for trim down costs , we have take off grow on a mean solar day - to - day base , adapting to the requirement .
Safran de Cotchia also offer training row . To date , 90 people have been train in the saffron trade wind . It is also possible for private individuals to obtain the farm ’s productsonline .
Belgian and French saffron crocus : very dissimilar from Moroccan and Iranian saffronAlthough orange yellow cultivation does not originate in France and Belgium , these origins have everything need to appeal to professionals and consumer . " Belgian or French saffron is very dissimilar from Iranian or Moroccan saffron . On our farm , the flower ’s pistil are much longer and thicker . It read about 150 flowers to obtain 1 gm of Crocus sativus in Belgium / France , while 250 - 300 are need in Iran and Morocco . Last year , we had a fruit of 3 kilos of saffron crocus from 1.8 hectare . Of naturally , this figure is open to modification , depending on the conditions status , but in theory , we can count on 1 to 1.5 kilos being give rise per hectare . Iranian and Moroccan saffron crocus is gamy , more savory , while Belgian and French saffron has much more aroma .
The Gallic and Belgian production can be sold for about 34,000 Euro per kilo , or 34 Euro per gramme . " The production from southern country is sold at much lower prices , since the trade union movement force is often family - base and therefore cheaper , and this is a major competitive factor . "
Eric Léonard is also investing a muckle in educating and raising the knowingness of professionals and individuals about saffron cultivation . " On the market , 80 % of orange yellow is fraudulent . There is a mass of fake saffron in circulation and we excuse how to avoid being cheat . A simple small test is to take a pistil between your finger , wet it and then roll it . If your fingers turn sensationalistic , it is indeed saffron ! "
For more info : Eric LéonardLe Safran de Cotchia26 , rue de la Waloppe,4219 Wasseiges , BelgiumTél . : +32 496 54 54 41[email protected ]
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