Purchasing Saffron – How to Buy Saffron the Smart Way  

Renowned as among the priciest spices of all time, the Saffron spice first appeared in the middle east markets. From here, this spice has spread to different parts of the world. Saffron is costly due to the time-consuming and delicate process of its production. Hand harvesting the spice after the flowers are in total bloom in fall is a labor-intensive procedure. Over 150,000 strands are needed to make one kilo of Saffron.

Saffron spice is known for its unmistakable fragrance, rich color and unique flavor. Said to be a spice that is suitable for kings, Saffron improves the flavor and taste of various dishes across Asia and different parts of the world. In other words, it’s a universal favorite. These days, most of Saffrons comes from middle east and Spain, while Kashmir and Morocco also grow and export this spice.

Since it is very expensive, it is necessary to purchase Saffron after some careful considerations. Always keep in mind that not all varieties of Saffron are similar. Sometimes, false dealers even put yellow threads to the quantities in order to earn quick money. The quality of the spice can be tested through adding several strands to water. Saffron initially leaves a light yellow color to the water, eventually turning it into a vibrant and rich tinge of red. On the other hand, if it leaves a strong yellow color into the water, changes are the spice strands have been dyed using artificial color. To make sure that you will be able to purchase quality Saffron, here are some of the points that you need to consider.

  • Know where the spice came from. Trustworthy traders are happy to tell the country and the state of origin of the spice.
  • If you purchase the spice at a ludicrously low cost, rest assured that it consists of ineffective strands which have been unnaturally dyed. Some dealers dye the strands in deep red to deceive purchasers into believing that the Saffron they are offering is top quality.
  • Depending on the quality of Saffron, its price varies. High quality spices cost more. Grade 1 variety consists of only red stigma with no yellow strands at all. Mehr is considered to be of high quality and is utilized not only in cooking but is also featured in healing many diseases. When purchasing top quality spice at high prices, it is necessary to buy from a reliable and trusted store in order to avoid any chances of getting duped.

Online stores offer a great shopping experience to those who want to purchase high quality Saffron. On the other hand, it is important to check if the store is a reliable one and has been in the business for many years. Once you have checked its credentials, shopping for the spice online will become an easy task for you. Going to an online store that focuses on spices is a good place to consider when you are planning to purchase Saffron at a competitive price.