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Saffron — the spice everyone knows as the most expensive in the world! Having a long and profound history, it has always been tagged as the prized ingredient in kitchens across the globe. Also, there are different types of saffron, and different cultures have their own way of utilizing this golden spice — some soak it in milk or water to add to the dish or grind it into a fine powder, but everyone uses it to spice up their cooking!
Do you even know that in ancient times, saffron was used as money — no wonder this spice is so valuable! Saffron is derived from the Crocus Sativus flower, and each of them possesses only a few precious stigmas. That’s part of the reason why saffron is such a costly spice in the culinary world.
Let’s read this article to understand why exactly saffron is the most priciest spice of all!
1. The Challenges Of Space Requirements
For saffron cultivation, it requires a lot of space because of its low yield. Only three stigmas are produced from each saffron flower, which simply amounts to 0.006 grams of raffle or six parts of a thousand parts of 1 gram of saffron are procured. Therefore, to produce 1 kg of saffron, approx. 160,000 flowers are required, or even more than that! Also, around 1.8 kilograms of saffron or more can be obtained per acre of land. In comparison, when it comes to cumin, about 600 kg can be produced in the same area.
2. Labour Intensive Process
It’s not a lesser-known fact that saffron cultivation is a labour intensive process. The saffron flowers are hand-harvested every morning before sunrise to preserve their intense flavour and aroma. Also, in order to separate stigmas from saffron flowers requires manual labour because no machines can perform this delicate task. For 1 kg of saffron, 160,000 flowers are needed, and it’s simply understandable that the labour force required is huge.
In countries like Iran, women generally work in the fields of saffron, earning an average of $5 every day. In Kashmir, India, saffron cultivation is like a family activity, as every member of the family is involved in this difficult process. Despite variations in methods of cultivation, the process is still a time consuming one and demands too much effort as well as care.
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3. Favourable Weather Conditions For Saffron Harvesting
Favourable weather conditions are another important factor in the successful cultivation of saffron. It can only thrive in rough regions with extreme temperatures, hot & cold, like Kashmir, Iran and Afghanistan, where there is adequate rainfall and irrigation.
Moreover, saffron cannot be harvested in tropical climates such as Bangladesh or desert areas with inconsistent rainfall like African & Arab countries. Inadequate rainfall before the plantation of saffron bulbs can adversely affect the production of the crop. Also, if heavy rain or drought occurs during the 6 to 8-week period after the plantation, it can have a major impact on the production of saffron.
4. Quality Of Saffron
The saffron quality is determined by the purity and colour of the stigmas. Stigmas that are of dark red and have a white porting at the tip of the flower are considered to be of low quality. At the same time, stigmas with only red parts are of the highest or premium quality. Furthermore, cultivating only the red part further lowers the saffron’s field ratio, which results in higher prices for pure saffron.
To specify the quality of saffron, the ISO (International Organization for Standards) has set four different grades of saffron based on the presence of compounds such as Safranal, Crocin and Picrocrocin. Grade 1 is the highest quality, and the lowest quality is Grade 4. The highest grade of saffron is considered to be the Iranian saffron because of its favourable climate.
5. Increasing Demand & Prices Of Saffron
There’s a massive demand for saffron globally, which also results in a higher price for this spice. As a consequence, saffron harvesting is being expanded to new regions like the United States and Afghanistan. Still, the supply is not able to keep up with the rising demand for the golden spice, which is one of the main reasons behind it being the most expensive spice in the world.
However, over the years, saffron production has declined in key areas like Kashmir and Iran. This major decline in saffron harvesting is attributed to reduced rainfall because of climate change. Various other factors, like the role of middlemen and re-exporting, further increase the price of the spice. However, if saffron production doesn’t increase at the same rate as demand, the prices of saffron are expected to rise even further!
A Few Interesting Facts About The World’s Most Expensive Spice: Saffron
a) Saffron Is Incredibly Versatile:
The most unique ability of saffron is that it can add a wonderful aroma to the dishes. But you must know that its benefits go beyond cooking as it is also used as a home remedy for various health benefits. Saffron is widely used all over the world for its versatile nature.
b) Harvesting Process Is Too Long:
Farmers carefully handpick saffron flowers and follow a detailed process to obtain the end product. They remove the stigma from the crocus gently and then let it dry for approx. 12 hours. To produce simply 1 kg of saffron, around 15,000 to 16,000 flowers are required.
c) Hundreds Of Hours Are Needed To Produce 1 Kg Of Saffron:
Saffron farming is difficult and is a time consuming process. It requires a lot of effort to produce its rich, strong flavour. From start to finish, each and every step demands proper care and attention. Harvesting saffron is a labour-intensive process, with it taking about 370 to 470 hours.
d) Careful Harvesting Yields Better Results:
Proper and better harvesting of saffron improves the aroma and colour of the spice. Taking all the necessary steps and caring properly makes sure that the harvest is done efficiently, which further gives amazing results in quality and fragrance.
Find Out: How To Identify Genuine Saffron- Tips For Choosing Quality Threads!
Final Thoughts
Saffron is the most expensive spice in the world, and now, it’s no mystery why! It takes a lot of hard labour to harvest, can be cultivated only in a few regions, and also holds significant cultural value. But even with its high price, saffron’s unique flavour, fragrance and vibrant colour make it worth every penny! So, next time when you enjoy a dish with saffron, you’ll understand why it’s truly a luxury!
FAQs
Is The Worth Of Saffron More Than Gold?
Don’t be surprised, but yes! An ounce of saffron costs more than an ounce of gold. It tops the list of most expensive spices in the world due to its labour intensive harvesting process.
Is Saffron Worth Its Expensive Price?
Saffron is worth every penny because of its unique flavour, aroma and vibrant colour. It is an invaluable ingredient and offers a lot of health benefits.
