Saffron buns for Advent

As the four Sundays of advent are getting closer many Swedes welcome the opportunity to bake “lussebullar” (in English saffron buns).

However, saffron has a quite distinct flavor that people tend to either like or dislike. It is also an extremely expensive (as well as exclusive) spice, seeing that it takes over 150 0000 crocus flowers to gather one kilo of saffron.

This exclusive spice is mentioned in the Old Testament and according to history saffron has been imported to Sweden since the end of fourteen hundreds.

Besides beeing expensive saffron is also known for its golden color and its rather distinguished taste and scent; both described by Swedish botanist Carl von Linné as invigorating.