The birthplace of saffron (Greek Crocus) are Asian countries - India, Afghanistan, Iran and Azerbaijan. Saffron was known to peoples who lived 4000 years ago. It is mentioned in the literature of ancient peoples who lived in Asia Minor, Iran and Afghanistan.The word "saffron" originates from the Arabic "azafran", which translates as "yellow-petal". Most likely, the etymology of the word is even older and goes back to the Sumerian "azupiranu". The first textual references to saffron can be found in the library of the Assyrian king Ashurbanipal. The first written document testifying to the benefits of saffron is the scientific work "Assyrian Botany", written in the 7th century BC.