Saffron

Saffron is a spice derived from the flower of Crocus sativus, commonly known as the “saffron crocus”. The vivid crimson stigma and styles, called threads, are collected and dried for use mainly as a seasoning and coloring agent in food. Saffron has long been the world’s most costly spice by weight. Iranian Saffron known as the “red gold”, saffron is a magical ingredient in Persian culture, from aromatic foods and colorful desserts, to the physical and spiritual medicine.
The three main components of saffron are: crocin, which accounts for the yellow pigmentation from the stigmas; picrocrocin, which gives the rusty, bittersweet flavor; and safranal, which lends the earthy fragrance to the spice.
Dried saffron is 65% carbohydrates, 6% fat, 11% protein (table) and 12% water. In one tablespoon (2 grams; a quantity much larger than is likely to be ingested in normal use) manganese is present as 29% of the Daily Value, while other micronutrients have negligible content
Due to the amount of labor involved in harvesting, saffron is considered one of the world’s most expensive spices. The stigmas, and sometimes the petals, are also used to make medicine. Saffron is used for depression and Alzheimer disease. Women use saffron for menstrual cramps and premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
Impressive Health Benefits of Saffron
Powerful Antioxidant.
May Improve Mood and Treat Depressive Symptoms.
May Have Cancer-Fighting Properties.
May Reduce PMS Symptoms.
May Act as an Aphrodisiac.
May Reduce Appetite and Aid Weight Loss.
May reduce heart disease risk factors.
May lower blood sugar levels.
May improve eyesight in adults with age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
May improve memory in adults with Alzheimer’s.
Easy to Add to Your Diet.
Types of Persian Saffron
Iran is known for the best quality Saffron in the world. However, you should always remember that there are different kinds of Saffron with four main types, each with different quality. These four types are Sargol, Super Negin, Negin, and Poshal .
Iranian Saffron Types, Similarities and Differences
There are different saffron types in the market with different prices. Various Iranian companies supply saffron in different types especially in three categories include Sargol (All-Red saffron), Poushal and Dasteh. This classification is based on the fact that which part of saffron strands is exist in the final product. So, our purpose in expression “saffron types” is not related to companies or production places. But, it is related to red and white part of saffron strands in the product.

Saffron classification in Iran, includes three main types and other types usually are special cases of these types.

Before anything you should know that expressions “stigma” and “style” are related to red and white part of saffron strand respectively.

Dasteh Saffron
Dasteh saffron is the main and basic saffron types and is achieved by putting all part of saffron strands over each other and drying them. Normally length of style is about 3 to 5 mm and the stigma can be shorter or longer which determines the product quality. Embedding strands over each other can be one-way or two-way. In one-way embedding, similar parts should be on each other (style on the style and stigma on the stigma). In two-way embedding, styles should be on the middle and stigma on both sides. The second form is more attractive because only red parts (stigma) will be seen in both sides. Classification of saffron strands usually is done by women.

The right part of the image on the top of the page is the “Dasteh” saffron. Dasteh saffron is saffron strands grade 4. Overall color of this saffron type is between 120 to n150 units.

Poushal Saffron
“Poushal” Saffron consist of red stigma with 1 to 3 mm of yellow style. In comparison with the “Dasteh”, “Poushal” has more relative content of stigma. So Poushal saffron has more overall color which is between 170 to 250 units based on its quality. Attaching stigma to the style and reducing the likelihood of counterfeit, causes some people have more trust to this type of saffron.

Saffron strands grade 1, 2 and 3 are Poushal types.

Sargol Saffron
Sargol saffron in fact is the saffron concept on the mind of most of people. In this type, style is removed completely and separated red stigma form pure saffron. So, Sargol is all-red type saffron. In some cases, “Poushal” also is known as “Sargol”. In this case saffron is divided into two types of “Negin Sargol” and “Momtaz Sargol”. Negin is refer to excellent and Momtaz is refer to prefer types. Negin Sargol is the same as mentioned Sargol saffron and the Momtaz contains some part of yellow style.

Among the above mentioned saffron types, overall color of Sargol saffron is more than others and is between 210 to 260 units. Us of Sargol saffron is more conventional than the others in Iran.

Different saffron types can be seen in the following picture.

Saffron Types“Negin Poushal” or “Poushal Negin” Saffron
“Negin Poushal” saffron is actually a special type of Poushal in which thick strands of red stigma is separated from other strands without any style and bulky saffron is produced. “Poushal Negin” saffron is finest and most precious type of saffron and has highest overall color (230 to 270 units). Production of this saffron type has descending trends among different years because of its costly and time consuming procedure. In some cases this type of saffron is called “Super Negin”.

“Konj” or White Saffron
After removing “Sargol” from “Dasteh”, the root part of strands remain. This part is known as “konj” or “Sefid” Saffron in Iran. “Konj” is known as style or white in Europe. “Konj” is not a kind of saffron types but is considered due to its beautiful color and appearance. Some people incorrectly think that “konj” is more perfumed than the Sargol. Scientific studies show that valuable elements of saffron are only in its red stigma. These elements can transfer from stigma to the style due to move in plant tissue. More moisture in the style causes more aroma apparently.
Packing :
Bulk ( Carton)
Paper box
Glass bottle

Saffron Uses

Saffron Uses as Medicine:

Documentation of saffron’s use over the span of 4,000 years in the treatment of some 90 illnesses has been uncovered and mentioned above under saffron benefits section.

Saffron Uses in Cooking:

The saffron uses in food industry are increasing due to its golden color, and exotic aroma. It’s most common function is to color rice yellow, as in risotto Milanese, where its delicate flavor make it the most famous of Italian rice dishes.

Saffron Uses in Liquor:

In Italy saffron’s most common use is in confectionery and liquor industries such as Chartreuse, izarra, and strega. These types of alcoholic beverages rely highly on saffron to provide a flourish of color and flavor.