When you think about which among the many spices available today that’s highly prized, nothing can compare close to saffron. It is considered the most expensive spice because of its unique colour, texture, particular methods in cultivation and harvesting, flavour, and top-notch medicinal effects. Saffron comes from a flowering perennial plant called Crocus sativus and is exceptionally exotics coming from Southern Europe and cultivated primarily in countries like Italy, Spain, Greece, France, Iran, Turkey, and Jammu and Kashmir, the Indian State.
You can purchase it in “thread” or “powder”. However, if you’re set with buying saffron powder, here are five fun facts.
#1. Incredible Reputation since Ancient Times
The saffron powder has an incredible reputation, and its uses have been documented as far back as 1500 B.C. Even then, the preparations and harvesting for it are meticulous. Imagine having more than 4500 crocus flowers to produce an ounce of saffron powder?
That’s, in fact, hard to believe! But it is 100% true, and its culinary and medicinal effects are still applied and used today because of its supremacy and results.
#2. The Best Rice Seasoning
Many European rice recipes require the best seasoning and powdered saffron is up for the job. It is the preferred rice seasoning for recipes like Italian Risotto, Pilaf, and Mexican rice. But it isn’t only perfect as rice seasoning because it also compliments light meats, poultry and fish.
The powdered saffron has to be added directly to the dish at the beginning of the cooking procedure. Adding it, later on, can have a significant impact on your dish, and it might not suit the taste you were aiming for.
#3. Medicinal Effects
Since ancient times, traditional medicines have helped many people. And today, people know that saffron is packed with active components which have therapeutic effects such as carminative, antispasmodic, and diaphoretic. In the modern age of research and technology, scientists have provided many studies that the powdered variant has a carotenoid compound, a-crocin, that is known to be a natural antioxidant, has anti-cancer properties, and an antidepressant.
#4. It is Tea-rrific!
Are you a big fan of tea? If you are, you would be happy to know that you can add a pinch of the saffron powder and prepare your herbal tea brew. Many do not realise it, but it’s an exotic floral tea that boasts remarkable health benefits for its tea lovers.
On its own, it does not have any caffeine. However, when you add black tea and other spices to the brew, you’ll still acquire the advantages, which are:
- Improvement of one’s eyesight
- skin enhancement
- relief from PMS
- mood stabiliser
- Memory booster
- Reduces the risk of cancer
- Protects heart health
- Effective antidepressant
#5. Your Kitchen’s Best Friend
When you have strong desires to create dishes that require saffron in the recipe, you have to stock some in your kitchen. The most common culinary uses for saffron powder are mainly employed as the flavouring and colouring base for food and drinks within the Mediterranean and Asian cuisines.
Mediterranean recipes often use spice for rice and meat. On the other hand, Asian countries are fond of using it for their sweet dishes, even in cakes, ice-creams, and tasty drinks.
Understandably, buying a high-quality saffron powder is a must for anyone who desires to attain all its promised benefits. If you’re in Australia and interested in getting top-quality ground saffron powder, click here.