Saffron is a miracle spice that is delicious and contains many health benefits. The effort involved in producing a large quantity of this spice makes it one of the most expensive commodities. Saffron crocuses contain only 3-4 strands of stigma, so thousands of crocuses are required to manufacture this spice.
The stigmas of the Saffron flowers are harvested manually to obtain Saffron or Kesar. Crocus stigmas contrast sharply with its petals, which are red or bright orange. During the autumn months, these flowers bloom for a short time, so the spice is even more valuable.
It is therefore important to take great care when purchasing Saffron online or offline. Unfortunately, people are selling many fake saffron products in the market due to the uniqueness and difficulty of producing this spice. Here are a few tips to keep in mind while buying Saffron. You can add walnuts to your daily routine as it has a very high amount of omega-3 fatty acids which help to decrease bad cholesterol. You can buy organic walnuts online or offline but buy them from a reputable store only and check the quality before buying walnuts.
Things To Know Before Buying Saffron
In order to ensure that you buy the best Saffron out there and get the most value for your money, you should familiarize yourself with some basic knowledge. Here are some of the most important factors to consider when choosing quality saffron.
1. Identification Of Fresh Saffron
Be sure to pick out the freshest saffron threads. When it comes to Saffron, its long strings are what determine its freshness. Fresh threads of Saffron contain the highest levels of antioxidants and vitamins. In addition, saffron threads have a wonderful flavor and aroma. You should choose a Saffron that has been stored in an airtight container since it will keep the aroma and flavor intact.
2. Saffron’s Dark Red Color
If you think Saffron is yellow or red in color like you see in most images, then you are making a mistake. The yellow strands you see on the saffron crocus are known as styles and are not the saffron strands at all. The main component of Saffron is its stigma, which is dark orange or red in color. However, due to the high price of Saffron and the amount of effort it takes to harvest it, some do not separate the yellow threads from the red ones and instead sell them together. As a result, you should only purchase dark red Saffron that does not have a hint of yellow.
3. Avoid Powdered Saffron
The dried form of any spice is less effective and has fewer antioxidants, and the same is true for Saffron. Adulterators can easily defile the saffron crocus powder with a lot of filters and it is very hard to detect these adulterations. Consequently, you are not able to experience the true splendor of Saffron due to the decreased concentration of vitamins. However, if you insist on getting the powder form, ensure that the supplier is authentic and that the color of the Saffron is dark red. Make sure there are no dyes in the powder.
4. Saffron Aroma Characteristics
The aroma of Saffron is sweet, and that is what you imagine when you visualize it. However, it does not have an entirely sweet odor to it and has a distinct smell as well.
It has a sweet scent, perhaps like honey, but is quite pungent and strong. You can easily detect the real ones from the fake ones after sniffing them, which is why you should buy Saffron online after reading all the ingredients and everything written on the package. Though the fragrance of saffron may be sweet, its taste is bitter with a slight sweetness. Therefore, saffron that tastes sweet should be considered fake.
5. Select Saffron Of Grade A+
Saffron is among the most expensive spices in the world, making it an easy target for fraud. For instance, people mix it with fake saffron powder to increase its weight by retaining moisture. The only way to avoid buying fake Saffron is to choose grade A+ Saffron – ISO3632 standard. In order for this spice to be considered pure, it must possess no additional matter and meet the requirements of the standard. The standards for Saffron are assessed using a variety of methods and forms. Spices are evaluated for their taste, aroma, and color to determine their nutritional value.
6. Saffron Type Selection
The quality and type of saffron vary depending on its place of origin. Saffron from Kashmir, Italian, Iranian, Spanish, and Greek origins are available. Saffron selection depends on your expectations regarding quality and taste. With respect to quality, aroma, and rich dark red color, Kashmiri Saffron is the best. Saffron from Kashmir has a strong aroma, and excellent flavor and has the highest level of the nutritional value of any spice on earth.
7. After Buying Saffron
There is still the possibility of fallacies after you have worked on the above. If you are concerned about the quality of the Saffron you eat, you need to test its quality. Unfortunately, you have to buy it and take it home since the shopkeeper will not let you test it in his shop.
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Testing With The Water:
In an airtight container, combine the saffron strands with lukewarm water. Let it rest for 15 to 30 minutes to see if they retain its color or if it gradually fades. The authentic strands will remain red, and the color of the Saffron will not change, but there will be a slight change in the color of the water. A fast change of colors in the water, however, indicates that the Saffron is not of good quality. It should also not result in the loss of color of the saffron threads.
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Testing With Baking Soda:
There are many authorities who recommend the baking soda test to determine whether the threads are truly saffron. To do this, you must mix some threads with baking soda in a container and wait a while. Then you must pour some water over the mix. Saffron that stays red is authentic, and Saffron that turns yellow is fake.
Final Words
Saffrons having a pure red color are the real and quality ones, while the saffrons that change the color are fake. So, before buying Saffron, consider all the above points or suggestions to purchase quality saffron. Also, you need to Store the Saffron in an airtight container that should not be a plastic container or a bag. Store it in a cool dark place. Direct exposure to sunlight can affect Saffron’s taste and smell. Like saffron, you also need to be aware of the quality of walnuts when buying walnuts. There are many health benefits of almonds as Almonds are rich in vitamin E, magnesium, and dietary fiber.
