Saffron is amongst the most pricey spices around, on account of the method used to harvest it. The flower from which it is harvested only blooms for a few hours every year, and after that the saffron spice has to be handpicked from each individual flower by a person.
This makes saffron one of the most costly spices in existence and thus a suitable gift to give on any special occasion.
Saffron is the world’s most expensive spice, and it is also one of the most versatile. The flavor of saffron can be incorporated into a wide variety of dishes and preparations. Saffron is a native plant to Southwestern Asia and Spain, but it’s cultivated in many other parts of the world as well. It takes about four thousand hand-picked stigmas from over two hundred crocus flowers to make just one pound of dried saffron threads.
Saffron is often used in Mediterranean, European and Middle Eastern cooking, but you’ll also find it in traditional recipes from India, China, Mexico and Africa. In fact, saffron is probably the only spice that has been used extensively in all five of the world’s major cuisines. Saffron has a distinctive bright yellow-orange color and a very bitter taste that can be toned down by using it with other spices.
The aroma of saffron is not unlike that of dried hay or grass, while its taste is reminiscent of dried grass mixed with vitamin C. Saffron can also impart a distinct flavor reminiscent of hay when used to flavor liquors such as vermouth or gin. But don’t let the bitter taste dissuade you; if you
Saffron is an ancient spice, and it has been used in cooking since time immemorial. It is also an expensive spice, and it is very rare. Saffron is very delicate in taste and odor, and it should be mixed with other more powerful spices.
Saffron consists of the dried stigmas of the flower of Crocus Sativus Linneaus. The best quality saffron comes from Greece and Kashmir. The next best comes from Iran, India and Spain.
Saffron has a strong flavor that goes very well with seafood, fish, and poultry. It makes a wonderful addition to rice dishes. You can also use saffron in soups, sauces, and as a seasoning for many other foods as well as for drinks and baking desserts.
The stigma of saffron is picked by hand, which is why this spice is so rare and expensive. After being picked the stigmas are dried to make them last longer without losing any of their original strength or flavor.
Saffron is a spice derived from the dried red stigma of the fall crocus, Crocus sativus. Saffron has been used as a spice and dye for thousands of years. It takes approximately 600 hand-picked flowers to produce 1 pound of saffron threads. That’s why saffron is the world’s most expensive spice by weight.
The price of saffron varies tremendously depending upon the quality, quantity, and origin of the saffron. The U.S., China, and India are top producers of this spice in the world, however saffron is also produced in Spain and Iran as well as other nations.
Saffron is the most expensive spice in the world. It is also one of the most sought after due to its unique aroma and flavour. Saffron is a natural dye and has been used for centuries as a seasoning, cosmetic, medicine and fabric dye.
The saffron crocus (Crocus sativus) is a perennial plant that grows up to 20-30 cm in height. The flowers have six petals with crimson red stigmas which are handpicked before they open fully. It takes 75,000-100,000 handpicked stigmas to produce 1kg of dried saffron threads.
Taste & Aroma: Saffron has a distinct aroma and possesses strong medicinal properties. Its taste is bitter-sweet with a pungent fragrance. The taste of saffron can be described as earthy and hay like with slight hints of honey and grass.
It is used for seasoning fish, meat, rice and pasta dishes; sauces; soups; vegetable dishes; desserts and drinks such as tea and liqueurs including sherry, port wine, beer and cream liquors; pilafs; breads; cakes; omelettes; confectionery products such as chocolates and ice cre
Saffron is the most expensive spice in the world. It’s also one of the most fragrant, pungent and flavorful. Saffron is hand picked from a purple crocus flower that is native to Greece. The plant is a perennial so harvesting can occur once a year. Saffron has been cultivated for more than three thousand years and was highly prized as a dye as well as a spice during this period.
The saffron plant contains three stigmas which are used in cooking and coloring dishes. The stigmas are deep orange to red in color and have many uses in various types of cuisine. Saffron is where its color comes from, but it also contributes to the aroma and flavor of foods that it is added to. This makes it a very important ingredient in many dishes including those consumed by people around the world.
Tibetan monks were said to have been the first to cultivate saffron commercially and even today, they are among the largest producers of saffron in the world. It takes seventy-five hundred flowers to yield just one pound of saffron. That means that approximately three million flowers must be harvested every day for an entire year just to produce enough saffron for one day’s worth
The leaves are usually served with starchy foods, such as rice, potatoes, beans and cereals. The flavour of saffron works especially well with sweet ingredients, such as honey, sugar or dried fruit.
Saffron is widely used in Middle Eastern cuisines, such as Persian and Arab cuisine. It is also widely used in Indian subcontinent; most notably in the spice mixture garam masala.
In Europe, it is widely used in Spanish, Italian and French regional cuisine.
