Did you know that there is a spice on earth that is more expensive than chocolate truffles, wasabi and even gold? Yes, we are talking about saffron, the same red threads that you are all familiar with.
Saffron spice from the purple flowers of the saffron plant.Crocus satius) comes. This spice first takes the form of an orange colored stigma that carries pollen as part of the reproductive system of the female flower and later becomes the most valuable spice in the world. Why is saffron so expensive? The main reason for the high price of saffron is the hard harvest of this product.
Saffron is harvested from the three stigmas in the center of each flower and must be picked by hand. One pound of saffron can produce 75,000 flowers. Also consider the fact that the saffron flower only blooms during a few short weeks of the year and only in certain parts of the world. Once harvested, they are extremely fragile and must be handled with care, making the harvesting process and subsequent steps more complicated and expensive.
The stigmas are then transformed into the more familiar form of saffron by being spread out on a tray and slowly dried over a charcoal fire. This step also adds to the cost, as it is a time-consuming process that cannot be rushed.
The price of saffron in the market is between 2000 and 10000 dollars per pound, so it is not surprising that there are fake substitutes for it. Everything from dyed corn cobs to plant flowers such as safflower, beet stalks, and even scraps of old paper dyed red have long been substituted for saffron, while ground saffron is often mixed with turmeric, tree bark, or paprika.
The important feature of high-quality and original saffron is its aroma and taste. It is not easy to preserve the smell of saffron, so it has a short shelf life and must be stored well.
The most expensive spice in the world has many uses. In addition to its special taste, this spice gives the food a better appearance.
Saffron is rich in antioxidants and according to information published on the Healthline website, it is associated with health benefits such as improving mood, sexual performance, as well as reducing symptoms of premenstrual syndrome and weight loss.
