Saffron is known to be the most expensive spice in the world. The reason for its weighty price is its labor-intensive harvesting method, making the production process way costly.
Saffron is harvested by hand from the Crocus sativus flower, commonly known as the “saffron crocus.” The term “saffron” applies to the flower’s thread-like structures, or stigma.
Many people would eat saffron to enhance libido, boost mood, and improve memory.
here are some health benefits of saffron
Saffron is a strong antioxidant
It improves mood and treats depressive symptoms
It has cancer fighting properties
It reduces appetite and aids weight loss
It lowers blood sugar level
It improves memory in adults with Alzheimer sicknesses
It is believed that saffron originated in Iran. More than 85 percent of the world’s saffron – which is nicknamed in Iran as “Red Gold” - is produced and exported. Saffron with incredible properties is traditionally grown in Khorasan province, a region in northeastern Iran with ideal subtropical climates with mild winters and hot and dry summers. Saffron is a valuable spice in the Zagros Mountains. Saffron with the scientific name Crocus Sativus is in the Iridaceae family.
The best time to plant saffron is May and June, and the warmer the weather and the longer the planting time, the saffron bulbs will be damaged. Irrigation is needed for saffron at the beginning of cultivation and after this only during harvest and a few days before harvest, the need for water is seen in saffron cultivation fields. Saffron plant needs less irrigation and care than other plants. Saffron onion does not need to be replanted when it is planted until 7 years later.
The time of saffron harvest is in October and mid-November. Of course, the harvest may continue until the end of November. Certainly, the time of planting and harvesting saffron and the method of cleaning saffron have a great impact on the price and quality of the product. Saffron, which dries and purifies quickly after harvest, is more suitable for export.
Saffron is one of the spices that has been known since ancient times for its color, taste and medicinal properties. Iran is the world’s biggest saffron producer and exporter and Iranian saffron is known to have the highest quality saffron in the world.
Types of Persian Saffron
Iran is known for the best quality Saffron in the world. However, you should always remember that there are different kinds of Saffron with four main types, each with different quality. These four types are Sargol, Super Negin, Negin, and Poshal.
1. Sargol: Saffron Sargol is the most common sample of saffron, which is very much known by customers. Farsi it literally means "Top of the flower" which derives from the very tip of the saffron thread. It has a specific, powerful aroma more than other types. Saffron Sargol is also known as the All-Red (completely red) abroad.
2. Super Negin: The most famous type of Negin saffron is Super Negin saffron. It is known not only for the most potent but also for its aesthetically pleasing features. Super Negin threads are longer and contain no yellow or orange threads. The threads are cut symmetrically and contain no crumbs. When comparing all the trims of Saffron, Super Negin is the best considering the quality, color, and taste. This type of saffron has a good color quality and also has a beautiful appearance, so it is a very suitable.
Option for export to countries such as China, India, Japan and Asian countries in general.
3. Negin: When we look at the size of yellow part in this saffron compared to ordinary saffron, we see that it has many similarities to it, but in terms of thickness, it is more delicate than Pushal saffron.
However, the aroma, quality, and purity are still great but the color is not perfect due to some portions of yellow and orange threads, which makes this type less quality than others.
4. Poshal: The cheapest and least quality type of Saffron is known as Poshal. Compared to various types of saffron, such as Sargol, this product has yellow parts, and more of this product is reddish-colored and there is only about 2-3 millimeters of yellow parts in each thread.
This product has a higher color due to the presence of stigma. Because of the combination of yellow part and red part in each thread in this saffron, customers are also more confident about this product for its originality.
