Persia Saffron – A Symbol of Luxury and Heritage

Saffron (Crocus sativus) is an agricultural product widely used as a spice and seasoning in culinary applications due to its distinct aroma and vibrant color.

The presence of crocin and safranal in saffron gives it medicinal properties, making it valuable in the pharmaceutical industry as well. Saffron is considered one of the most expensive spices in the world, often referred to as “Red Gold.”

The primary reason for its high market value is its rarity and limited cultivation worldwide.

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What is Saffron and How Does It Grow?

Most plants reproduce through seeds, but saffron propagates through corms (saffron bulbs). The cultivation of saffron bulbs was originally introduced to other countries by Iranians. Once the saffron corms are planted in the soil, purple saffron flowers emerge from the shoots of the corms.

During the flowering stage, a delicate purple flower with six petals blooms, protecting the three vibrant red stigmas inside. These three red stigmas are the valuable part of the saffron plant, harvested through a meticulous and labor-intensive process.

History of Saffron in Iran

Iran has been the birthplace and historical center of saffron cultivation for thousands of years. The use of saffron in Persian culture dates back to ancient times, where it was highly valued for its culinary, medicinal, and dyeing properties.

Historical records and archaeological findings suggest that Iranian saffron was traded along the Silk Road and exported to Greece, Rome, India, and China. During the Achaemenid and Sassanian eras, saffron was used in royal ceremonies, traditional medicine, and textile dyeing.

Even today, Iran remains the world’s largest producer of saffron, accounting for over 90% of global saffron production

Types of Authentic Saffron

Unlike other spices, saffron comes in various types, where the appearance of saffron threads differs depending on harvesting methods, flower separation techniques, regional climate, and overall quality.

Below is a list of saffron types ranked from highest to lowest quality:

• Super Negin Saffron
• Semi-Negin Saffron
• Negin Saffron
• Sargol Saffron
• Pushal Saffron
• Dasteh (Dokhtar-Pich) Saffron

If you’d like to learn more about each type of saffron, we recommend reading the detailed article on “Types of Saffron”. However, the most important point to note is that Super Negin saffron is the highest quality and most expensive type, while Sargol saffron is one of the most popular varieties, widely available in the market.

Morphology of Saffron

The saffron flower consists of several parts, including petals, stigmas, stamens, leaves, and corm (bulb). The diagram below illustrates the structure of the saffron plant.