Saffron

Saffron Crocus flower, showing two drooping stigma which are picked and dried to form saffron

Box of saffron

Saffron is the name given to the dried stigma of the Saffron Crocus (Crocus sativus). It is a very pungent spice which imparts a rich gold yellow color to dishes and is most famously associated with the Spanish dish paella.

There are 3 Saffron stigmas per flower,[1][2] [3] and two stamen. [4] Saffron must be harvested at dawn, or early morning before the sun gets strong, before the pollen on the stigma has dried. It is estimated that one pound of saffron consists of about 225,000 to 500,000 dried stigmas and requires the picking by hand of 75,000 flowers,[5] this is one reason why Saffron is the most expensive spice in the world.[6] Currently, weight for weight, it is more expensive than gold.

Iran produces the highest amount of Saffron, about 120-140 tons per year.[7] Spain produces around 2 tons of saffron per year and processes about 40-50 percent of saffron from Iran.[8] Other countries that produce Saffron include: Greece,[9] Turkey, Kashmir,[10] India, France, Italy, Afghanistan,[11] and Morocco.[12] It is used in Indian cooking, in desserts and candy, as well as to flavor rice and cream-based savory dishes.

## References[edit]

1. ↑ http://www.gourmetshopper.com.au/shop/product.php?productid=290
2. ↑ http://www.oasisdemezgarne.com/lgen/paysberbere/saffron.htm
3. ↑ http://www.greekproducts.com/greekproducts/saffron/index.html
4. ↑ http://www.bikudo.com/product_search/details/34416/crocus_sativus_kashmiri_saffron.html
5. ↑ http://www.bolokids.com/2006/0271.htm
6. ↑ http://www.bikudo.com/product_search/details/34416/crocus_sativus_kashmiri_saffron.html#desc
7. ↑ http://www.iran-daily.com/1387/3201/pdf/i4.pdf
8. ↑ http://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20050724072958
9. ↑ http://www.greekproducts.com/greekproducts/saffron/index.html
10. ↑ https://www.nytimes.com/1987/10/04/travel/fare-of-the-country-saffron-kashmir-s-pot-of-gold.html
11. ↑ https://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/03/01/MNA415A7UB.DTL&type=printable
12. ↑ http://www.bacstrom.com/saffron.html