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Saffron, Welcome to the worlds most exquisite spice. An Overview of Quality and Authenticity.

Saffron, Welcome to the worlds most exquisite spice. An Overview of Quality and Authenticity.

Jun 16th 2017

It may seem obvious, but not all saffron is the same. In fact, it is the most adulterated spice in the world and is often mixed with turmeric or ground beet powder to add color or other flower stamens or stigmas to add weight. This is a serious issue as it makes it difficult for consumers to ensure they are getting high-quality, pure saffron. Once saffron is ground, it becomes even more difficult to identify any potential additives that may be lurking inside. It is important to stay away from saffron powder, especially if it is cheap, as low-quality saffron has no discernible flavor anyway.

Unfortunately, expensive saffron does not always indicate quality either. It is essential to purchase saffron from a reputable dealer to ensure that you are getting the real deal, particularly when purchasing from foreign markets where unscrupulous vendors may try to take advantage of uninformed consumers.

Saffron is a crucial ingredient in traditional Spanish, African, and Middle Eastern dishes, and there is no substitute for its unique taste and aroma. When cooking with saffron, it is vital to use high-quality, authentic saffron. This can be achieved by purchasing saffron that meets strict ISO-3632 standards, which helps to fight against fraud and identify quality saffron producers. According to ISO (the international organization for standardization), saffron is considered pure when it complies with the requirements of ISO 3632, and no external matter has been added to the natural product.

At The Spice and Tea Shoppe, we carry "Coup" grade Spanish Saffron, which is the highest grade and meets strict ISO-3632 standards. We also carry Sargol Persian Saffron grade I:> 190, known as the finest grade of saffron in the world. Our saffron exceeds the > 190 requirement, coming in at 226 ISO.

What Makes Saffron So Expensive?

Saffron is a very complex spice and is considered one of the most expensive spices in the world. This is because it cannot be mechanized, and its production requires intensive manual labor. Harvesting saffron is an incredibly time-consuming and labor-intensive process, as it requires the manual removal of each stigma from the flower. It takes about 150,000 flowers to produce just one kilogram of saffron, and it takes 40 hours of backbreaking labor to pick that many flowers. This is why saffron commands such a high price, and why it is important to purchase from a trusted supplier.

Blooming Your Saffron

When cooking with saffron, it is important to know how to properly bloom the spice to extract its full flavor. A “pinch” of saffron is about 20 medium threads. To properly bloom saffron, it needs to be soaked in hot (but not boiling) liquid for 5 to 20 minutes. Once it has been soaked, both the saffron and the liquid can be added to the recipe. This process allows the saffron to release its full flavor, resulting in a more flavorful dish.

Saffron is an incredibly valuable spice that is highly sought after for its unique flavor and aroma. However, due to the prevalence of adulterated saffron on the market, it is important to purchase from reputable suppliers that sell high-quality, authentic saffron. At The Spice and Tea Shoppe, we carry some of the best saffron available, including "Coup" grade Spanish Saffron and Sargol Persian Saffron grade I:> 190, which is considered to be the finest grade.

Are you looking to take your cooking to the next level with a spice that's truly unique and special? Look no further than The Spice and Tea Shoppe for high-quality saffron that will elevate your dishes to new heights.

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