Bridging cultures and cultivating peace, through the beauty of saffron.
The Ethical Fashion Initiative (EFI), which is a flagship programme of the International Trade Centre, a joint agency of the United Nations and the World Trade Organization, invited Wunder Workshop to partner with small social enterprise Ariana Saffron in Herat, Afghanistan to create and sell a range of ethically sourced, high-grade saffron.
Saffron grown in Herat is proving a vital source of legitimate employment in the country by replacing the cultivation of opium poppies - in particular for women, who typically have fewer opportunities to earn an income in these rural areas.
The golden threads hold more than just an enchanting and powerful aromatic flavour, they also support women, their families and marginalised entrepreneurs who have been affected by years of conflict and instability.
Creating agricultural value chains
The Ethical Fashion Initiative (EFI) has been working in Afghanistan since 2018 to help get farmers back on their feet following decades-long conflict. Its aim is to create sustainable jobs and wealth, particularly for displaced and returnee Afghans, with the financial support of the European Union.
Together with the EFI we hope to empower farmers and social enterprise employees, while contributing to more ethical and sustainable agricultural value chains.
“We have always been committed to creating value chains that put people and nature before profit. Now our community can enjoy the unique luxury of saffron, and get to know the women and men in Afghanistan who nurture the saffron crocuses, pick the delicate flowers and extract their precious ‘red gold’.”
Wunder founder, Zoe Lind van’t Hof
Launch Dinner:
To launch our beautiful saffron, we created a limited-edition recipe box collaboration with Alexandra Dudley who created a beautiful menu with our Saffron that we sourced in collaboration with the Ethical Fashion Initiative to celebrate traditional Afghan cuisine, create ethical value chains and to bridge cultures.
We asked some of the women in Afghanistan, who harvest the saffron crocuses, to share their favourite ways to use Saffron at home, and Malina shared with us her Saffron rice from which Alexandra formulated her beautiful menu.
Every box contains the base ingredients to create a Saffron pilaf with Saffron flatbreads, alongside a recipe card by Alexandra Dudley with entertaining tips.
What you will find in the box:
We asked some of the women in Afghanistan, who harvest the saffron crocuses, to share their favourite ways to use Saffron at home, and Malina shared with us her Saffron rice from which Alexandra formulated her beautiful menu.
Every box contains the base ingredients to create a Saffron pilaf with Saffron flatbreads, alongside a recipe card by Alexandra Dudley with entertaining tips.
What you will find in the box:
- Wunder Workshop Saffron
- Duchess Farms British regeneratively-grown wholegrain heritage flour
- Organic raw pistachios
- Organic sulphate free apricots
- Organic white basmati rice
- Recipe card and entertaining tips by Alexandra Dudley
The Saffron Launch dinner:
