The spice originates from a flower called crocus sativus—commonly known as the "saffron crocus." It is believed that saffron originated and was first cultivated in Greece, but today the spice is primarily grown in Iran, Greece, Morocco, and India.

How is Kesar obtained?

Harvesting saffron

Corms are sowed in summer and the saffron crocus flowers are ready to be harvested mid- to late-autumn. ... Once the flowers have been harvested, its stigmas must be plucked and dried for around 12 hours. It takes between 15,000-16,000 flowers to produce 1 kilogram of saffron spice.

Where does saffron come from and why is it so expensive?

It is the dried stigma of the flower which gives the spice saffron. The reason it is so expensive is because it comes from the saffron crocus bulb (Crocus sativus) which is an autumn blooming purple flower that originated in Greece.

Where is Kesar found in India?

Jammu and Kashmir is the only state in India where saffron is produced. Spain with 600 ha of land is the 3rd largest producer with an average productivity of 8.33 kg/ha which is highest in the world.

Which country is famous for Kesar?

Iran is the world's leading producer of saffron, producing 430 tons in 2019.

Why Saffron Is The World's Most Expensive Spice

Can you grow saffron?

Saffron has often been described as a spice that is worth more than its weight in gold. It's so expensive that you may wonder “Can I grow saffron crocus bulbs and harvest my own saffron?”. The answer is yes; you can grow saffron in your home garden.

Is saffron Arabic?

The name “saffron” derives from an Arabic word meaning “to become yellow” which refers to saffron's use as a bright yellow dye.

Who brought saffron to India?

According to legend, an arhat Indian Buddhist missionary by the name of Madhyântika (or Majjhantika) was sent to Kashmir in the 5th century BC. Upon his arrival he seemingly sowed the first Kashmiri saffron crop. From there, saffron use spread throughout the Indian subcontinent.

Why Kashmiri saffron is best quality?

Kashmiri Mongra Saffron is considered the most expensive saffron because of its superior quality. The stigma is longer compared to other types and it is most-sought-after because of its bold flavor and its rich and deep red hue. It packs an aroma that brings warmth but balances it with just a hinge of bitterness.

Is Kashmiri saffron best?

While the myths arouse discord, there's one item of consensus: Kashmiri saffron is the sweetest, most precious spice in the world. Its strands are thicker and more fragrant than its counterpart from Iran, which accounts for more than 90 percent of the world's saffron production.

Is saffron worth more than gold?

Saffron (Crocus sativa) is a spice that is worth more than its weight in gold. Over the past three decades there has been renewed global interest in saffron cultivation for use in cosmetics, the food industry and for its health benefits, which is why this spice has been coined “Red Gold”.

Do supermarkets sell saffron?

Your Local Health Food Store

Health food stores frequently sell saffron. They may or may not offer it in bulk, but sometimes you can ask if they'll special order you bulk saffron and cut you a deal.

What country has the best saffron?

With approximately 430 tons of production in 2019, Iran is ranked first among the countries which produce and export saffron in the world.

Why is Kesar so expensive?

Since such a small part of the flower is used, it takes 75,000 saffron flowers to make one pound of saffron spice. The small amount of saffron spice per plant, along with the fact that harvesting must be done manually, leads to saffron's being majorly expensive.

Does saffron expire?

Saffron does not go bad but like other spices, it does have a shelf life and will lose its potent flavor and aroma as it ages, and if it is not stored properly. Direct light, heat, moisture, and oxygen are the enemies of this precious spice.

How does saffron taste?

What does saffron taste like? Saffron has a sweet, floral taste to it. It's earthy and has a complex nuanced flavor. On the other hand, saffron that tastes bitter, metallic, or plastic like are often cheap imitators of this unique spice and should be avoided.

Is India famous for saffron?

Saffron cultivation in India is mainly done in the states of Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. Harvesting is the most difficult part in Saffron farming.

Where is born saffron?

Saffron is grown commercially primarily in India, Spain and Iran. But the Kashmir variety is considered the best and it is the most expensive. First cultivated in Greece, saffron has been grown in the Kashmir valley for hundreds of years.

Who is the queen of spices?

Cardamom or Elettaria Cardamomum Maton is one of the most highly prized and exotic spices and rightly deserves the name “queen of spices”. It is also commonly referred to as the “green cardamom” or the “true cardamom”, and belongs to the family of ginger.

Which place is famous for saffron?

In the 21st century, Iran produces some 90% of the world total for saffron with best quality. At US$5,000 per kg or higher, saffron is the world's most expensive spice.

What's the most expensive spice?

Harvesting saffron requires a lot of physical labor to get the flowers from the field to final packaging. The harvesting process plus its distinct flavor, smell, and color make it the most expensive spice in the world.

Who brought saffron to England?

Saffron, according to one theory, spread to the coastal regions of eastern England in the 14th century AD during the reign of Edward III. In subsequent years saffron was fleetingly cultivated throughout England. Norfolk and Suffolk were especially heavily planted with corms.

Can saffron grow in the US?

Farmers in the US have been growing the saffron crocus since the 17th century when the Pennsylvania Dutch first brought these little bulbs to the US. It's possible to farm this spice here if labor costs permit. Grown in a raised bed garden or containers, this plant can fit anywhere!

How do I grow saffron?

1. Find a location where the soil drains well. ...
2. Site your bulbs where they will get full day sun or very light shade. ...
3. Dig holes and plant the crocuses 3-4" deep and 2-3" apart. ...
4. After planting, water crocuses well, gently soaking the soil and settling it around the bulbs.