christine

Does anyone know if the cost of cooking spices (saffron) is less expensive in Venice. Being that Venice used to be the gateway for exotic spices, I thought it might be cheaper. <BR>

spicey

I usually take my 'spice' with me (or spouse as the case may be).

Caryn

What difference would it make unless you plan on bringing back bales of it? If you happen to be out shopping there and see a good price, buy it. It's not like it's going to change your checked baggage weight allowance, is it?

Dottie

I usually buy saffron in Italy and in Spain, not because it's cheaper, but because the packaging is interesting and it makes nice &quot;take home&quot; gifts for several of my friends who cook.

StCirq

Actually, Caryn, it can make a significant difference, if you're buying saffron as Christine asked. Saffron costs an arm and a leg in the USA. In Europe, it is always much cheaper. I don't know the going price for it in Venice, but in the southwest of France, where we get saffron from Spain and Morocco, I can buy saffron for about a quarter of the price I can get it in the USA. And I happen to use a lot of it. I will often buy $100 or more worth of saffron while I'm in France - and no, it doesn't add to the weight of my suitcase, but it doesn't detract from the weight of my wallet anywhere near as much as it would in the USA.<BR>

Ira

Dear StCirq,<BR><BR> Any recommendations on brands or reputable merchants?<BR><BR> Thanks

Alice Twain

Although Venice used to be gateway for exotic spices, this is no more true since the XVI century, when the interntional commerces moved from the Mediterranean sea to the Atlantic ocean. At the same time I wouldn't talk about saffron as an exotic spice, since Itlay produces some of the very best saffron of the world. If you are looking for great saffron you should go either fto Sardinia or to Navelli in the Abruzzo region, where the bulk of top-quality Italian saffron is produced. In Italian shops and supermarkets all you can find is usually small packets of powdered saffron, which contains a small portion of low-quality saffron and loads of &quot;curcuma&quot; (I don't know its name in English), a cheaper spice that lends some color but no taste to food. The fllowing link leads to the Navelli cooperative web page, from which you may order rahter large amounts of saffron (minimum order: 12 jars, each with 1 gram of saffron, 81,00 euro or 10 packets of saffron powder for 50 euro).<BR>http://www.worldtelitaly.com/zafferano/indexuk.html