Picked from the flower Crocus, Saffron is one of the most expensive spices in the world! Per
gram Saffron prices can range from anywhere between 10$-20$. Due to the high amount of labor required to harvest and produce, it is very labor-intensive. It can take many flowers to produce only just 1 ounce (about 28.35 g) of saffron because each plant only produces 3 threads!
According to sources, “It can take 75,000 flowers to produce 454 grams of dried saffron, or
160,000 flowers to make one kilogram.” The largest producer of saffron in the world is Iran
(about 90%).
Commonly used in Iranian, Indian, Chinese and some European dishes -to give their food a
delightful light red/yellow color- Saffron, does not have a strong taste; it is mostly used as a food dye. The deeper the red color, the better-quality Saffron it is. Many diverse dishes in the world contain saffron such as Risotto Alla Milanese (Italy), Paella (Spain), Tachin (Iran), and Korma (India). Certain tea flavors are also made with saffron which adds a soothing smell. Not only does Saffron play a role in the cuisine world, but it also serves many scientific
purposes. It has been recognized that saffron boosts and enhances mood because it is packed with nutrients like iron, copper, potassium, manganese, zinc, copper, and magnesium. It also serves as an antioxidant! In historical it was also utilized as a cure for battle wounds in war zones. Likewise, Ancient Greeks and Romans loved Saffron because of its use in perfumes and deodorizers! Some things to keep in mind however is that women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not consume saffron since it could pose as a threat to their baby. Because of how expensive Saffron is it is very common for people to sell fake versions of it. Hence, make sure to buy it from a reputable manufacturer or company to stay on the safe side.
The next time when you are preparing food or decide to bake a dessert for yourself, or your
loved ones use Saffron instead of red food coloring (The healthier and better option!). This
golden red spice is not only golden because of its price, but because of its richness in history and
culture.
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Works Cited:
“Saffron: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews.”
WebMD, WebMD, www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-844/saffron.
“11 Impressive Health Benefits of Saffron.” Healthline, Healthline Media,
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