What is Saffron? An Essential Guide

By Ashley Jean April 18, 2023 21 mins read 142 Views

This is your essential guide for understanding all there is to understand about Saffron. The Mediterranean spice adds a golden color and floral notes to the dishes you love. What is saffron? What is the taste of saffron? What is the best way to use saffron for? Why is saffron expensive? We have the answers to your questions!

Saffron can be found in many cuisines across the Mediterranean, Middle East and Asia. It can be found in recipes such as this Whole Roasted Cauliflower or in traditional Persian dishes like Fesenjan and Spanish Paella.

You should be able to make the most of your investment when it comes to a spice which is hard to come by and expensive (it's the most expensive in the world).

A little bit goes a long, so you should be able to use that jar for a few months. This guide will teach you how to purchase, use and store this luxurious spice.

Table of Contents

What is Saffron?
What does saffron taste like?
Why is Saffron so Expensive?
The Quality of Life
Quick Guide to Buying
Where can I buy saffron?
Saffron: How to Use it
How to store Saffron
Spice up your dishes with this spice
Try Saffron Recipes

What Is Saffron?

Saffron, a spice that is obtained by drying the stigmas of the Crocus Sativus (also known as the "Saffron Crocus") flower is a perennial herb. The flowering occurs between October and December, over a period of three weeks. After that it is harvested in large quantities.

The stigmas appear as tiny, bright red threads. The stigmas are used to give dishes a golden hue and flavor. The stigmas come in weights of 1, 5, and 10 grams.

Many people believe that this spice originated in Iran, so it is no surprise that many associate it with Persian food. Although Mesopotamia, Greece and other places have been suggested as possible origins. Iran is still the largest producer and exporter in the world of saffron, but there are new markets, including in the U.S.

The delicate spice is found in a wide range of dishes and cuisines, including paella, risotto, and Indian recipes. It can also be used in traditional Moroccan dishes like Chermoula. It's a common ingredient in Persian rice dishes such as Tahdig and Saffron Rice.

What does saffron taste like?

Saffron is earthy in taste, with floral and fruity undertones. Saffron is used in small quantities to add both color and flavor. The powerful spice can overwhelm a dish, resulting in an unpleasant taste.

Use a pinch each of paprika or turmeric to try and mimic the amber-yellow color. You cannot replace its flavor. Saffron is usually the primary flavoring ingredient in a recipe that calls for it. You should buy the spice instead of trying to substitute it.

Why does saffron cost so much

The low yield of saffron and the labor-intensive harvesting techniques make it expensive. Due to their delicate nature and the fact that each flower only produces 3 stigmas, it is necessary to harvest them by hand.

If the threads are not removed soon after blooming, they will wilt. The stigmas are harvested by growers in a short time frame. They will work up to 19 hours a day. To produce one pound of saffron, it takes 75,000 flowers and 225,000 stigmas.

Quality

Saffron does not all have the same quality! Due to the high price of saffron, fraudsters have sought to sell low-quality threads or imitations. There are classifications and gradings to protect consumers.

The International Organization for Standardization ("ISO") uses a laboratory-based system to grade spices based on their flavor, color and aroma. I suggest choosing saffron classified as Coupe or Sargol. These are of high quality and at a reasonable price. If you're in the US, choose a high-quality Spanish variety like Coupe. The United States does not carry Iranian saffron.

There are also grading systems that have been set up by each country to indicate the quality of products.

Saffron is produced in Iran to 90% of the global production.
Spain is a major competitor on the global market even though its production only represents less than 5%.

The amount of red stigmas or yellow styles in the harvest from both Iran and Spain is used to grade the spice.

Quick Guide to Buying

It can be confusing to try and understand the different grades of saffron or classification systems. Here are a few quick tips on how to choose the best saffron.

Purchase from a supermarket or distributor that you trust.
Buy strands of saffron rather than pre-ground. Whole threads are easier to inspect for quality. You're looking for red stigma tips that are free of orange or yellow flecks or styles.
Check the country of origin. Iran and Spain are both excellent producers of saffron. You can also determine the quality of saffron by looking at their ISO status and grading.
Check the color of the strands if you're buying them from a spice store. They should be a vibrant, deep red. Test it by testing the smell and color.

Photo credit: Mariam H.

Where can I buy Saffron?

Saffron can be found in most supermarkets, but the quality may not always be of the highest standard. Middle Eastern supermarkets are more likely to have higher-quality saffron.

Online shopping allows you to do your research and make sure you buy the best. I always recommend that people buy either Spanish or Iranian saffron. These countries produce saffron of a higher quality.

I do not believe that the price of Negin or La Mancha is justified by their quality. Sargol and Coupe are two excellent saffrons.

Use of Saffron

Saffron strands are usually thin and have been dried after being plucked from crocus flowers. It is not a good idea to use saffron in strands. This wastes the spice and doesn't get the most out of it. Two-step method to get the best flavor and color from your saffron:

Grind saffron using a pestle-and-mortar or spice grinder. Use patience if you are using a pestle-and-mortar. Grind the herbs until they become fine powder.
Bloom ground saffron by mixing 1/8 teaspoon with 3 tablespoons water. Allow the saffron to bloom in water for 10 minutes.

How to store Saffron

Store saffron airtight in a container. Keep saffron in a dark, cool and dry place like your spice cabinet or pantry. Saffron is not spoilt like other spices. If not stored correctly, saffron will lose its vibrant color and flavor within six months. Saffron that is stored properly can last for up to two years.

Dishes where this Spice Shines

Saffron is used in many dishes, including kababs, rice dishes, and khoresh, which are stews.

Even desserts, like Bastani Soltani (a saffron-rose water ice cream with Pistachios), are flavored by saffron. Sholeh Zard is a sweet rice pudding that has a complex and rich flavor profile.

Saffron can be used in other countries to give the traditional Spanish dish, paella, color and flavor. In the Lombardy area of northern Italy, Risotto ala Milanese, a classic dish, is made with saffron, resulting in an incredibly rich and golden risotto.

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Use Saffron to Make These Recipes

Whole Roasted Cauliflower With Lemony Whipped Feta
Fesenjan, a Persian chicken stew with walnuts and pomegranate.
Easy Seafood Paella Recipe
img alt="Closeup on Persian Rice with Potato Tahdig." aria-hidden="true" class="wp-post-image" data-pin-media="https://www.themediterraneandish.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Potato-Tahdig_8.jpg" data-pin-nopin="true" decoding="async" height="315" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 315px) 100vw, 315px" src="https://www.themediterraneandish.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Potato-Tahdig_8-315x315.jpg" srcset="https://www.themediterraneandish.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Potato-Tahdig_8-315x315.jpg 315w, https://www.themediterraneandish.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Potato-Tahdig_8-150x150.jpg 150w, https://www.themediterraneandish.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Potato-Tahdig_8-500x500.jpg 500w, https://www.themediterraneandish.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Potato-Tahdig_8-250x250.jpg 250w, https://www.themediterraneandish.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Potato-Tahdig_8-96x96.jpg 96w" width="315"/>
Tahdig of Persian rice with Potato

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Title: What is Saffron? An Essential Guide
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