The fantastic aroma, the unique taste and color of a gold bar - all this is the spice saffron. It resembles gold not only because of its color, but also because of its expensive price.
Since ancient times, saffron has been the most expensive spice in the world. In the past, the price of one pound of this spice was equal to the price of a good horse, which was also a very expensive commodity.
The high price is explained by the laboriousness of the spice production: saffron is obtained from the flowers of crocus seeds, more precisely, from its stigmas. One flower contains only three stigmas.
To get one kilogram of saffron, it is necessary to use about two hundred thousand crocus flowers. Nowadays, Iran is the largest producer of saffron, 96% of the world's saffron is produced in the Khorasan province.
Properties and uses of saffron
Of course, the high labor intensity of the process is not the only factor in the high price of this product. The taste of saffron is unique and cannot be compared with any other spice. In addition, saffron has unique medicinal properties.
As an unusual spice since ancient times, saffron has been used as a cure for many diseases, and their range was quite wide: from emotional depression to the treatment of cardiovascular diseases and improving potency. The famous beauty of the ancient world - Cleopatra - bathed in saffron for the beauty of her body.
Medicinal saffron was also used for dyeing fabrics, paper, and also for body decoration, such as henna drawings.
Cooking with saffron
Nowadays, this spice is used only in cooking. This particular flavor of the spice has found its application in the production of confectionery, as well as for the preparation of sausages, liqueurs, cheeses. Saffron is used in the preparation of many dishes, including paella, other rice recipes and seafood, meat, but it is worth remembering that it has very strong flavor properties, so it requires very short cooking.
Saffron also has preservative properties. Food prepared with it lasts longer.
Although nowadays the preparation of dishes with saffron has faded and is in the background, you should still not forget about it. Dishes prepared with saffron promote the production of serotonin, which is known to be responsible in our body for the state called - happiness.
Find out how saffron is stored and what dishes is saffron added in.
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