This competition has now closed.

We have a bit of a sweet tooth and for a long time now we have been sharing our love of all things sugary by offering free cookies in our stores across the UK. So, to mark the launch of our new flagship store in Croydon we have teamed up with local caterers, Wild Seasoning, to make some limited edition cookies that will only be available in the Purley Way branch throughout the weekend of Saturday June 22nd and Sunday June 23rd.

And the flavour of the cookies?…Saffron, in recognition of the origins of the South London town as an historical centre for the cultivation of the flavouring: ‘Croydon’ being derived from the Anglo-Saxon word ‘croh’ meaning ‘crocus’ (the flower from which saffron is derived) and ‘denu’ meaning ‘valley’. Also, they’ll be yummy!

Did you know?

The cultivation of saffron in Croydon is likely to have first taken place in the Roman period, when the saffron crocuses were grown to supply the London market, most probably for medicinal purposes, notably the treatment of eye complaints.

To glean 1 lb (450 g) of dry saffron requires the harvest of 50,000–75,000 flowers; a kilogram requires 110,000–170,000 flowers. That’s a lot of flowers! It also makes Saffron the most expensive spice in the world.

The saffron crocus is unknown in the wild and likely descends from ‘Crocus cartwrightianus’, which originated in Crete, and has been traded for an estimated 4 millennia.

Saffron's aroma is often described by connoisseurs as reminiscent of metallic honey with grassy or hay-like notes, while its taste has also been noted as hay-like and sweet. Saffron also contributes a luminous yellow-orange colouring to foods.

Competition 

Feeling hungry? If you’re in the area on the weekend of Saturday June 22nd and Sunday June 23rd why not pop in and take a look at our beautiful new flagship store and try a delicious saffron cookie for yourself. We’ll also be running loads of special offers and reductions to celebrate the opening of the new store so be sure to take a look around to see what you could add to your dining room or bedroom. If you don’t live near Croydon we don’t want you to be left out! We have some saffron Crocus bulbs to give away so you can grow your own plants to make some delicious treats for yourself.

All you have to do is answer this question…

How many flowers would you need to harvest to produce 450g of dry saffron?

This competition has now closed.

Terms and Conditions

1. Only one entry per person
2. Prizes will be awarded by random draw to the first three entries drawn who correctly answered the qualifying question
3. Delivery of the prize can only be made to the mainland UK and Northern Ireland
4. While every effort will be made to arrange for delivery of the prize promptly Furniture Village cannot guarantee date of arrival
5. If we are unable to source the prize a similar prize of greater or equal value may be substituted
6. There is no cash alternative to any part of this prize
7. The competition closes at midnight on 30th June 2013
5. Please read our standard competition terms and conditions before entering this competition.