Experience the Saffron harvest at a cooking workshop in Marrakech at the petite luxury hotel Maison Arabe. Staying in the heart of the medina near the souks adds to the exotic experience of all that is Marrakech.  Harvest dates run October 25 through November 20.Saffron crocus is a fall bloomer with purple petals, yellow stamens and a three-part red-orange stigma that becomes the saffron strands. Derived from the dried stigmas of the crocus sativus, it takes 70,000 crocus plants to make a pound of finished saffron. Saffron, the world’s most expensive spice, is costly because more than 225,000 stigmas must be hand picked to produce one pound. In its pure form, saffron is a mass of compressed, threadlike, dark orange strands.

Saffron Harvest
Enjoy an early morning 45-minute drive to the beautiful Ourika Valley, watch the saffron harvest on-site and up close. A private tour provided by the director of the saffron farm, will explain everything about the cultivation and preparation of this precious spice. A delicious lunch will be served at the end of this half-day excursion. Take your new knowledge to the professional kitchens of La Maison Arabe. The off property location is an oasis in the medina, driving past, one would never guess this overgrown, yet cultivated garden and chef kitchen is hidden behind colorful gates, in a peaceful garden compound.

Cooking Workshop
During a half-day workshop at La Maison Arabe’s renowned cooking school, you will learn from a dada, a traditional Moroccan chef, how to make various Moroccan dishes that use saffron as a key ingredient, as well as how to prepare a refreshing saffron tea.

Pamper yourself at the beautiful Wellness Center within the Maison Arabe Hotel. Enjoy a relaxing Marhaba treatment hammam, traditional kessa body scrub, clay body masque, and relaxing 30 minute massage.

Expert guiding through the myriad stalls of the souks, bargaining assistance provided if necessary!