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Saffron

Saffron is very largely adulterated with the petals of other plants, especially with those of the marigold. Saffron is now chiefly imported from the South of Europe, especially Spain. It was formerly much cultivated in this country in the vicinity of Saffron Walden, in Cambridge-shire. The English saffron is superior to that brought from Spain. Saffron used to be so extensively used in Cornwall that that county consumed more than all the rest of England put together. In the West of England it is still largely used to colour cakes.