What is saffron and why is it very expensive

😉 Hello everyone! The article contains useful information: what is saffron and where it is used.

Saffron – what is it

Saffron or crocus (crocus sativus) is the oldest perennial plant in the Iris family. He is mentioned in ancient Egyptian medicine manuscripts dating back to 1500 BC. The homeland of the plant is India and Iran.

In Arabic, “za-fran” means “to be yellow”. This is the name of the plant because of the coloring properties of the flower. This is why the kings of ancient Babylon wore golden yellow clothes and shoes. Since ancient times Buddhist monks have also dyed their clothes with crocus.

Much later, during the reign of King Henry VIII of England, dried crocus stigmas began to be used as an elite spice.

Saffron contains essential and fatty oils, carotenoids, glycosides, lycopene, flavonoids, ascorbic acid. It contains B vitamins, wax, thiamine, sugar, nitrogenous substances, potassium, calcium, phosphorus. Caloric content 310 kcal per 100 grams of product.

The used part of the flowers is the stigma of the pistils. They are harvested in the morning in dry, sunny weather, plucking out only stigmas (red threads). There are three of them in each flower.

To obtain one kilogram of raw materials, more than 200 thousand flowers will be needed. The process of obtaining the spice is very laborious, meticulous and expensive. Therefore, the price of this spice is very high – over 500 gr. – $ 5000, it is called “Red Gold”.

Crocus flowers are harvested in September-October, and the total flowering time of the plantation is up to two weeks. The flower itself blooms for up to three days.

Useful properties of saffron and contraindications

For medicinal purposes, crocus is used in the form of aqueous infusions for:

• leukemia;
• angina pectoris;
• cystitis;
• depression and anxiety;
• urolithiasis;
• urethritis;
• epileptic seizures;
• intestinal polyps;
• cataract;
• insomnia (1 stigma per glass of warm milk);
• hemorrhoids;
• gynecological diseases;
• oncological diseases;
• painful menstruation;
• Alzheimer’s disease (mild).

How useful Saffron

Saffron infusion has the following actions:

• painkillers;
• sedative;
• anticonvulsant;
• diuretic;
• antispasmodic;
• anti-inflammatory;
• bactericidal;
• tonic;
• antioxidant;
• lowers cholesterol in the blood;
• stimulates the heart, blood vessels;
• improves memory;
• is a natural antibiotic and aphrosidiac;
• used as food coloring.

Противопоказания

• pregnancy;
• during lactation;
• children under two years old;
• hypertensive patients;
• diabetics;
• persons with cardiovascular diseases.

Dosage! 2 grams or more can cause poisoning, and 10 grams can be fatal. Only three stigmas (threads) can give a dish a unique flavor.

Saffron oil

The essential oil is extracted from hand-picked crocus stamens and stigmas. Great luck if you buy real quality oil. Unfortunately, they often sell a fake.

• oil is a sedative in aromatherapy, blocks nervous attacks and hysteria;
• this strong aphrodisiac is used for problems with potency;
• for the health of skin and hair;
• used in cosmetology, adding to creams and masks;
• add to massage oil (no more than 0,05% to the base);
• used for lotions and rubbing with rheumatism (1 drop per teaspoon of the base);
• has no serious contraindications, except for pregnancy. The main thing is the correct dosage.

How to tell saffron from a fake

In the Middle Ages, counterfeiting the precious saffron spice was punishable by death. Times have changed and they are more relaxed about replacing this spice. Instead of real saffron, turmeric and safflower are often used, which are bright orange in color.

You can identify real saffron with water. Two strands of crocus are capable of dyeing three liters of water bright yellow. In the Caucasus, Imeretian saffron is a seasoning made from dried marigold flowers.

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