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Time Out
4 days ago
- Business
- Time Out
SA's Red Gold: Why this saffron farmer is staying put
On a quaint patch of land just outside the Western Cape dorpie of Piketberg, a bold agricultural experiment is blooming. It's not wine, olives or citrus - but saffron, the world's most expensive spice, harvested delicately by hand from tiny purple crocus flowers. At the helm of this fragrant venture is Saffricon, a family-run business that's not just rewriting farming norms in the Western Cape but stitching social impact into every delicate petal. Founded by Bennie Engelbrecht, a former SuperSport backend producer turned saffron pioneer, Saffricon took root in 2013 after years of research and one big, hopeful question: 'Why can't we grow saffron here?' At around R250,000 to R300,000 per kilogram of saffron. Better known as 'red gold' - it takes roughly 150,000 flowers to produce a single kilogram of dried saffron threads, all harvested by hand, Bennie's son, Tiaan joined Time Out for an interview to share exactly how this fascinating business model has been taking off locally - this, as Bennie himself was deep into harvest season, sleeves rolled up and hands in the soil at the time. 'My dad grew up on a farm, and in his words, 'once the soil's under your skin, it doesn't leave you,' says the younger Engelbrecht with a shrug and a smile. 'He always wanted to farm again.' Cultivating Community, Not Just Crocus Saffricon's model is as rare as the spice they grow. Tiaan and his dad understand they're not about to dethrone the traditional saffron giants in Iran or Spain in terms of production volume - but they're not trying to. What they are doing is far more rooted: growing a hyper-local, high-impact industry in a country where sustainable agricultural opportunities are desperately needed. In a blind test conducted by a top multinational retaile r, Saffricon's saffron beat global benchmarks on flavour, colour, and aroma - earning ISO certification and international praise. As Tiaan puts it, 'We're not here to compete. We're here to build something sustainable, seasonal, and South African.' The magic lies in its timing. Saffron's peak harvest happens in winter—filling the employment gap left by the end of the Western Cape's summer citrus and grape seasons. 'We're able to come in and say, 'Here's work—right when you need it most.'' But jobs are just the start. Through their Saffron Incubation Program (SIPS), the team works closely with under-resourced communities - offering hands-on training, materials, soil testing, and mentorship. It's a measured, long-term approach - worlds away from the one-size-fits-all co-op models that often leave farmers stranded. 'Don't spend your pension on saffron,' Tiaan cautions. 'It's not a get-rich-quick scheme. It's a long game. But it can be life-changing.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by Tiaan Engelbrecht (@ Homegrown, By Choice While the global opportunities might be on the table, Tiaan is clear, 'We love South Africa too much to leave.' Relocating from their initial location in Karoo to the Western Cape wasn't just about terroir, he adds, it was about viability. Saffron needs wet winters, dry summers, and sandy soil with good drainage. And it needs people. 'In citrus and table grape regions, things slow down in winter,' Tiaan explains. 'With saffron, we're able to come in during the off-season and say, 'Here's work - right when you need it most.'' The planting season starts in March or April, and harvest kicks off about 40 days later. You have just 24 hours from the flower's bloom to collect the delicate red stigmas before quality drops off. It's a process that's part science, part sprint, and entirely by hand. 'There's no machine that can harvest saffron the way a person can. It's intimate. You have to know what you're picking,' states Tiaan. In a world of extractive farming, Saffricon is cultivating something different: a model that's small-scale, community-first, and proudly rooted in South African soil. Your Slice of Saffron Starts at Home If you're a budding spice grower yourself, Saffricon has an offering for you. Their Gardener Pack i ncludes 10 starter corms (bulb-like roots) retails at R250, ideal for windowsills and small gardens. Perfect for Cape Town's artisanal growers or curious foodies, it's a bite-sized way to get involved. For more serious growers, the Trial Pack priced at R17,250 includes enough corms for a 20-square-metre plot, along with fertilizers, soil and leaf analysis, a grower's manual, and access to Saffricon's advisory support. It's designed to be the first step in building a small-scale farming business with high-value output and minimal land requirements. 'Our advice? Start small. See what works. Then build,' states Tiann, 'We've seen people go from 10 corms to 80 in a few years. It's quite incredible.' Where to Find Saffron in Cape Town While the farm itself isn't open for day visits just yet (they're working on it!), you can find Saffricon saffron and other artisanal saffron-infused products at Cape Town's beloved weekend spots: These are your best bet for taking home a vial of the prized golden threads or your own starter kit. The Bottom Line Cape Town may not have saffron in its culinary DNA just yet, but thanks to Saffricon, that's changing one corm at a time. What started as a retirement project has become a generational mission: to reimagine farming, empower communities, and prove that even the world's most luxurious spice can have humble, hopeful beginnings. As Tiaan puts it, 'It's not easy. But it's worth it.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by Saffricon South Africa (@saffricon)
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Yahoo
Travelling couple reveal 'hardest thing' about life on the road after ditching work for a 4WD
Living in the city, feeling "a bit stuck" and wanting a break from their careers, Tiaan and her financé Lewis made a decision that seems to becoming more and more common among young professionals in Australia. They left the rat race for the open road. Instead of waiting for retirement, they gave themselves a year to save and get used to the idea before setting off on a no-thrills trip across the continent. Since January, they've been travelling around in a high top Land Cruiser 4WD that will be their home for the rest of the year. "We were getting to that point where we just wanted a break," Tiaan told Yahoo News. "We wanted to travel while we were still young and fit." Tiaan, 30, works in Indigenous affairs while Lewis, 31, is a soil scientist by trade and worked in corporate consulting. Tiaan still manages to do the odd bit of freelance work from the road, while Lewis isn't working at all. Instead, the couple spend their days enjoying the outdoors and even finding hidden treasurers on the beach. "A big thing Lewis wanted to do was fossicking," Tiaan said after spending the previous months in Tasmania. The island state has a number of dedicated areas that are home to geological material that is of interest to collectors, and where you don't need a prospecting licence to engage in the activity. One of those areas is the Weld River, in the northeast of the state, known for harbouring sapphires and other gemstones. "Lew spent a couple days in the creeks there and found some sapphires which was really cool. And this was fossicking that anyone can do, we didn't have a lot of gear, it was just time and patience and knowing what to look for," Tiaan said. "He came out with some blue sapphires, some quartz... semi precious to precious stones." Related: Man's 'very rare' fossicking find at Aussie camping area Likened to amateur prospecting or fossil hunting, the activity is intended to cause minimal environmental impact and at most requires basic hand tools. According to the Tasmanian government, "some of the best areas have been set aside for the use of fossickers". "A lot of people don't know about that," Tiaan said. The pair are currently making their way through South Australia before "heading up the middle" and have been taken aback by the sheer number of caravans moving across the country. "We're seeing lots of grey nomads," Tiaan said, adding that they've been "kind of surprised" at just how many there are caravanning around the country. But the couple are also running into others like them, who have decided to momentarily tap out of the hustle and bustle of city life. "Sort of the late 20s, early 30s van lifers," she explained. Aussie man 'living out of a van' reveals hidden truth behind trend Grey nomads all say one thing to young solo traveller Aussie traveller's plea to every nine-to-five worker in the country According to the latest data from the federal government's Tourism Research Australia, there were more than 901,00 caravan and campervan registrations across the country last year representing a near 30 per cent jump since 2019, while there were 15.2 million caravan and camping overnight trips taken in 2024. Tiaan admits they can get a bit jealous seeing the large "luxury" caravans pull up beside them at campsites, but says you don't need to spend that much money to travel the country. "You can spend $1000 a week, easily... we talk to people who say that's what they spend," Tiaan said. However her and Lewis typically average about $500 to $600 a week, mostly on fuel and food. "If you times that by 52 (weeks), that's pretty modest," she said. "We're not experienced hikers or van lifers but we just want to get out there and have a go … that's what we try to get across in our videos." The couple rely on their vehicle's water supply for showers and admittedly don't have very many luxuries at the moment, but surprisingly that's not the hardest part of being on the road full time. A few months in, Tiaan spoke of the mental fatigue of not knowing exactly where you're headed to next and the subtle anxiety that comes with trying to make sure you're seeing everything. "The freedom of the road, is also the hardest thing of the road," she told Yahoo. But it's definitely something the young Aussie couple are adjusting to. "We met someone who has been on the road for five years and she said she still hasn't seen everything," Tiaan said. "You can't see everything. Australia is ridiculous." Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Yahoo
4WD couple's 'precious' find after joining Aussie travel trend: 'People don't know'
Living in the city, feeling "a bit stuck" and wanting a break from their careers, Tiaan and her financé Lewis made a decision that seems to becoming more and more common among young professionals in Australia. They left the rat race for the open road. Instead of waiting for retirement, they gave themselves a year to save and get used to the idea before setting off on a no-thrills trip across the continent. Since January, they've been travelling around in a high top Land Cruiser 4WD that will be their home for the rest of the year. "We were getting to that point where we just wanted a break," Tiaan told Yahoo News. "We wanted to travel while we were still young and fit." Tiaan, 30, works in Indigenous affairs while Lewis, 31, is a soil scientist by trade and worked in corporate consulting. Tiaan still manages to do the odd bit of freelance work from the road, while Lewis isn't working at all. Instead, the couple spend their days enjoying the outdoors and even finding hidden treasurers on the beach. "A big thing Lewis wanted to do was fossicking," Tiaan said after spending the previous months in Tasmania. The island state has a number of dedicated areas that are home to geological material that is of interest to collectors, and where you don't need a prospecting licence to engage in the activity. One of those areas is the Weld River, in the northeast of the state, known for harbouring sapphires and other gemstones. "Lew spent a couple days in the creeks there and found some sapphires which was really cool. And this was fossicking that anyone can do, we didn't have a lot of gear, it was just time and patience and knowing what to look for," Tiaan said. "He came out with some blue sapphires, some quartz... semi precious to precious stones." Related: Man's 'very rare' fossicking find at Aussie camping area Likened to amateur prospecting or fossil hunting, the activity is intended to cause minimal environmental impact and at most requires basic hand tools. According to the Tasmanian government, "some of the best areas have been set aside for the use of fossickers". "A lot of people don't know about that," Tiaan said. The pair are currently making their way through South Australia before "heading up the middle" and have been taken aback by the sheer number of caravans moving across the country. "We're seeing lots of grey nomads," Tiaan said, adding that they've been "kind of surprised" at just how many there are caravanning around the country. But the couple are also running into others like them, who have decided to momentarily tap out of the hustle and bustle of city life. "Sort of the late 20s, early 30s van lifers," she explained. Aussie man 'living out of a van' reveals hidden truth behind trend Grey nomads all say one thing to young solo traveller Aussie traveller's plea to every nine-to-five worker in the country According to the latest data from the federal government's Tourism Research Australia, there were more than 901,00 caravan and campervan registrations across the country last year representing a near 30 per cent jump since 2019, while there were 15.2 million caravan and camping overnight trips taken in 2024. Tiaan admits they can get a bit jealous seeing the large "luxury" caravans pull up beside them at campsites, but says you don't need to spend that much money to travel the country. "You can spend $1000 a week, easily... we talk to people who say that's what they spend," Tiaan said. However her and Lewis typically average about $500 to $600 a week, mostly on fuel and food. "If you times that by 52 (weeks), that's pretty modest," she said. "We're not experienced hikers or van lifers but we just want to get out there and have a go … that's what we try to get across in our videos." The couple rely on their vehicle's water supply for showers and admittedly don't have very many luxuries at the moment, but surprisingly that's not the hardest part of being on the road full time. A few months in, Tiaan spoke of the mental fatigue of not knowing exactly where you're headed to next and the subtle anxiety that comes with trying to make sure you're seeing everything. "The freedom of the road, is also the hardest thing of the road," she told Yahoo. But it's definitely something the young Aussie couple are adjusting to. "We met someone who has been on the road for five years and she said she still hasn't seen everything," Tiaan said. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
Daily Maverick
04-05-2025
- Daily Maverick
Scenic Plett gives up its secrets along winding walking paths
As a student during the 1970s, I had travelled the N2 between Gqeberha and Cape Town multiple times. Plett was just a waypoint, a step closer to either destination, but now its Camino has changed that. What better way is there to learn about the rich human tapestry and natural majesty of an area than an 80km walk over five days? This is why 11 newly acquainted souls gathered at T'Niqua Stable Inn in Plettenberg Bay on a warm March evening for a meet-and-greet dinner prior to an early morning start to the Plett Camino. We were to walk in Afromontane jungle and forests, rolling fields of cultivated farmland, pine plantations, fynbos areas and dusty gravel roads, across cool mountain streams and through a game reserve and other areas of the larger Garden Route National Park. Day 1 started with a short ride to the national park just off the N2 at the Perdekop Nature Walk. Our guide team consisted of leader Tiaan, later called Tarzan because of his bush saw, and two sweepers (Jessy and Murray). Some group members started spraying mosquito repellent in anticipation of the jungle phase of our walk, as it was termed. It was a beautiful tramp through rich, indigenous forest with copious underbrush adding to its jungle nature. The humid conditions soon led to much sweating and heavy breathing as we navigated inclines and, you guessed it, declines. The muggy conditions added to the almost mysterious nature of the surroundings. The dense brush and tall trees with lofty crowns provided us with some protection from the sun. Interspersed with interesting botanical and other bits of information, we often came across deep saw pits used by timber traders of yore. Just imagining the labour involved brought more sweat to our brows. Our progress was underscored by the loud harping of the Knysna lourie as a requiem for the death of those large Outeniqua yellowwoods long, long ago. After a brief crossing of the N2 to the northern side of the jungle, we slowly wended our way to Greenfern Lodge, spotting a beautiful dwarf Knysna chameleon on a huge tree at the Garden of Eden waypoint. The pool, cold drinks and fortifying edibles in front of a huge bluegum tree created the backdrop to the 14km walk. Day 2 started with a self-made breakfast and the stowing of prepared lunch packs for the day. This was to be a 'forest walk' of 14km to the Protea Wilds Retreat for the night. A wine tasting awaited us at Packwood Wine Estate along the way, the first of two such treats on the trip. The route also included many hectares of pine tree plantation belonging to the MTO Group involved in forestry. The soft forest floor was so giving — what a beautiful part of the walk. Nature and nurture at its best. I could revel in the luxury of the early autumn season's mist and mellow fruitfulness, mindless of apologies to Keats. Ups and downs, and sometimes round and round, we frolicked our way to Packmore Wines Packwood Wines, which was at the top of a steep hill. We worked hard for our money and wine! Then we slowly walked down towards the open heart of Amanda and her beautiful facilities, including a cold pool, a beautiful viewpoint and a welcome dinner. In the distance, the Tsitsikamma Mountains shimmered in the late summer heat. On Day 3 we descended into the Bitou Valley while being told of the history and geology of the area. We had significant cloud cover, which provided some relief, but the muggy conditions persisted, hampering our 16km walk. The gentle descent was accompanied by a description of the type of rock in the area belonging to the Peninsula Formation sandstone stretching from Clanwilliam down to Gqeberha. Strike this rock and you will perceive a sulphurous smell. It is why falling rocks may cause fire. The history of the area involved many different players, from the early Khoi to the modern-day diversity we experience. Frontier wars raged in this valley periodically, and different events, names and objects were recorded. I tried imagining living in this area among these people as we wended our way down and across the river before ascending the opposite bank. The cool forested areas seemed alive with memories of past history as we crossed the Stofpad, all the while passing beautiful farms with verdant fields. Finally, we traversed a gravel road, and suddenly Bella Manga Country Escape came into view: a lovely guest farm that promised a cold pool, drinks, food and, for those so inclined, massages to soothe the kilometres out of the legs. Day 4 was to be an 18km walk, preceded by a self-made breakfast with multiple ingredients at hand. Hikers are quite creative when fuelling up for the day. After 30 minutes, we would be at the gates of the Plettenberg Bay Game Reserve, 2,200ha boasting three of the Big Five: rhino, elephant and some feline species, as well as springbok, giraffe and crocodile. We were deposited at a back gate on the lip of the Keurbooms River valley and descended into it under cloud cover. Its coolness and mystery captivated me, knowing there would be a cool river at its nadir. Our guide elucidated many interesting titbits along the way regarding flora and fauna. A long, refreshing break was enjoyed after crossing the river at a pump station supplying Plett with water. After a little climbing we descended to a tributary called Whisky Creek. What a beautiful stream! And then there was a very steep uphill path out of the valley. For the cheek of it, it was called Postman James. What had he been thinking, taking this route in the first place? We huffed and puffed our way up in record time, beating the pull of gravity. After a brief sojourn to a guest hotel for some beverages, we descended to Kay and Monty Vineyards for more wine tasting (we just scoffed it). Then followed a short walk to our destination, 20 Good Summers, a guest farm whose name relates to the owner believing that's what he had left. We were treated to an array of homemade pizzas against a beautiful sunset backdrop, along with tired but happy conversation for the last time as a group. Day 5 was to be 12km of walking towards the N2 and the mouth of the Keurbooms River. A doddle, by now, in terms of improved fitness. It was tinged with a mix of sadness and happiness and the prospect of a slap-up meal at Down to Earth, a fitting restaurant name considering the heights from which we had come. And, as the name implies, it was a gradual descent, with beautiful views of the valley itself and back to life on the N2 whizzing by. And then a final au revoir. We all agreed that the organisation and attention to detail was wonderful, thanks to all the staff. Now for the long road home. DM This story first appeared in our weekly Daily Maverick 168 newspaper, which is available countrywide for R35.
