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Saffron is the dried stigmas of crocus sativus flowers, a small perennial plant about a foot tall. Each crocus has three female parts (stigmas), two male parts (stamen). Each stigma is threadlike in appearance and is red or dark red in color towards the top and yellow towards the bottom of the stigma, where it is attached to the flower. Saffron has a bitter flavor and a pungent odor. The flavor, aroma, and coloring capability come from the red part of the stigma. The yellow part has no value as a spice. We counted enough unbroken threads of our Kashmiri saffron until its weight reached one gram. There were 570 threads of Kashmiri saffron in one gram. Since three threads represent one flower, It would take on average about 190 flowers to produce one gram of saffron. Keep in mind that Kashmiri saffron threads are larger than other non-Kashmiri saffron threads.
Saffron has been used as spice and coloring agent for many centuries and has numerous medicinal properties. It is by far one of the oldest herbs ever used for medicinal purposes in the history of mankind and up to this date it is being used in some regions of the world such as India. It has been written that around 600 B.C. Phoenicians were looking for a mysterious plant in Kashmir, one whose flower had silky stigmas with a pungent aroma. The stigmas were thought to cure many illnesses and also had the capability of making strong dye. Europeans are believed to be among the first to use saffron as a spice in their cooking. Saffron is also used in many other industries such as the tobacco industry, alcohol industry, dairy industry, cosmetic industry for perfumes and facial creams, and the dye industry. Cleopatra used it to give her skin a golden color and romantic aroma. Saffron is also used in religious ceremonies. Tibetan Monks use saffron for prayer and blessing. Calligraphers have used saffron to write religious books such as the Koran.
Since saffron is the world's most expensive spice, throughout history, dishonest dealers would adulterate their saffron by adding similar looking materials or by dyeing the yellow strands red, which is the sign of good quality saffron. Pure saffron contains only the stigma of the Crocus flower with nothing else added.
Saffron's potency comes from the red portion of the saffron strands (the Crocus stigma) and not the yellow portions that you find in lower grade saffron. Saffron can be pure, with nothing else added, but not potent. Saffron composed mostly of the yellow portions of the stigma is less potent than the same amount of saffron composed entirely of the red portions of the Crocus stigma.
Saffron should be store in an airtight container and kept away from bright light and moisture. Bright light such as sunlight will bleach the color of the saffron. That is why when the Crocus flower blooms, the flower has to be picked at dawn (Sahar) before the sun shines on it.
Saffron can be stored for several years and will retain its potency if stored properly. (See above)
For more helpful and interesting information on saffron, visit any of the following links:
We are the Sahar Saffron Company, a U.S. based import company located in Cleveland, Ohio. We are dedicated to importing only the finest quality saffron from around the world. In 1993, we started our business by serving some of the most prestigious restaurants and specialty food stores in Northeast Ohio. As time passed, the word about our fairness, dependability, service and product's quality reached far and wide. Today, we have many loyal clients in almost every state of the United States as well as Canada. Try our service once and judge for yourself. After all, we back our product with 100% satisfaction or 100% money back with no questions asked. You have our word on it.
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"It is an herb of the Sun, and under the Lion. Not above ten grains must be given at one time; a cordial if taken in an immoderate quantity, hurts the heart instead of helping it. It quickens the brain; helps consumptions of the lungs, and difficulty of breathing, it is excellent in epidemical diseases, as pestilence, smallpox, and measles. It is a notably expulsive medicine, and a good remedy in the yellow-jaundice. It is a useful aromatic, of a strong penetrating smell, and a warm, pungent, bitterish taste. It is said to be more cordial, and exhilarating than any of the other aromatics, and is particularly serviceable in disorders of the breast in female obstructions, and hysteric depressions. Saffron is endowed with great virtues, for it refreshes the spirit, and is good against fainting-fits and the palpitation of the heart; it strengthens the stomach, helps digestion, cleans the lungs and is good in hysteric disorders. However, the use of it ought to be moderate and reasonable; for when the dose is too large, it produces a heaviness of the head and sleepiness; some have fallen into an immoderate convulsive laughter, which ended in death. A few grains of this is commonly a dose, though some have prescribed it from half a scruple to a scruple and a half"