How to recognize the quality of saffron

13 novembre 2018

Genuine Saffron (کیفیت زعفران) - Crocus Sativus

This crocus blooms from October to December. Each blossom has three stigmas.

These stigmas are dried and yield the precious saffron spice.

For one kilogram of dried saffron, 150,000 to 200,000 flowers have to be collected.

Already at around 1000 BC the Persians flavoured with saffron.

The quality of saffron threads (کیفیت و تفاوت‌های زعفران)

Depends on the positions at which they are pinched off. Each length has its own characteristics.

Saffron threads - Negin (زعفران نگین)

The highest quality of the Saffron-threads is referred to as "Negin".

Negin translated means "The Diamond on a Ring".

This is the most valuable kind as it has the highest quality.

It has the volume and the thread- length of Pushal and as the same time the colour intensity of Sargol.

This is not accessible through any artificial colour changes and therefore absolutely pure.

- colouring, Crocin, of about 250-270

- flavour, Safranal, of about 50

- bitterness, Picrocrocin, of about 95.

Saffron threads - Sargol (زعفران سرگل)

To maintain the quality of the Sargol Saffron-threads all 3 stamins in the blossom are removed.

All white and orange parts are removed so that only single red tips of the stamin remain.

Here is the intensive fragrance and its pronounced colour the typical features of the Sargol.

- colouring, Crocin, of about 240

- flavour, Safranal, of about 50

- bitterness, Picrocrocin, of about 95.

Saffron threads - Pushal (زعفران پوشال)

This is the cheapest one. By the Pushal Saffron-threads the stamins that grow in the Crocus blossom are removed completely. The white parts are removed and left over are the stamin threads that have few orange coloured,

but the complete red coloured parts maintained. All 3 stamins remain together to maintain plenty volume.

- colouring, Crocin, of about 225

- flavour, Safranal, of about 50

- bitterness, Picrocrocin, of about 85.

Saffron threads - Dochtar (Dokhtar) Pitsch (Bunch) (زعفران دسته یا دختر پیچ)

Natural saffron - complete stigmas in bundles. The flavour is also integrated in the white parts.

- colouring, Crocin, of about 190

- flavour, Safranal, of about 40

- bitterness, Picrocrocin, of about 75.