Saffron, introduced by the Arabs, became an essential spice in Hispanic cuisine and a key product in Mediterranean trade. Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, a unique trade route was established: while other spices travelled from East to West, Spanish saffron was exported in the opposite direction to India, China, Japan and America. Its production requires an immense effort—up to 200,000 flowers per kilo—a meticulous task that brought the aroma of La Mancha to the whole world. Today, the century-old companies of Novelda continue to lead this global trade. The David Beltrá Collection allows us to visually explore this history, showing the brands, families and journeys that made the Saffron Route possible.
