Saffron (Mancha) – 1g

Saffron is the dried flower stigma from the Crocus Sativa plant. This is the most expensive spice in the world for a couple of reasons. First, the part of the flower that farmers take is tiny – you need about 75,000 strands to make up a pound (lb) of Saffron!  Secondly, because it is so small and delicate, it has to be harvested by hand, and there are only 3 strands per flower. As you can imagine, it is a time consuming and finicky spice to gather!

Despite the price, many people use Saffron for a great many purposes. It is a potent spice, so you won’t need very much – just a few strands per recipe is usually enough. You’ll get a sweet, floral taste with complex, earthy notes from just this small amount. Then there is the colour – wow! Saffron changes the colour of foods to a golden yellow orange and is often used for the purpose of adding visual interest. Use it in Paella, custards, sauces, rice dishes and even drinks to add a little extra special dimension. People use Saffron to dye clothes and fabrics and to create perfumes as well – it really is a wonder spice!

Spain grows the best Saffron in Europe, and that is where this comes from, being the La Mancha type. Other top  producing countries include India (Kashmir), Afghanistan and Greece. Iran has the crown of biggest producer, though, having a market share of about 88%. Wherever it comes from, it is an amazing spice and well worth adding to your spice collection.

As with all herbs and spices, add a little at a time to get the flavour you want. You can always add more, but taking it out again can be impossible!