One of the earliest written records of the spice is found in the Bible: In the time of Pharaoh Ramses II and while in the desert after their departure from Egypt, the Hebrews were ordered, by a divine command, to use Saffron as a sacred perfume (book of Numbers 30, 34). Later, king Solomon who was called the King of Kings made it the most coveted spice in the world, praises its fragrance in the Song of Songs (4, 14).