Iran, Summer 2016: I'm just mad about saffron, A-saffron's mad about me

I’m just mad about saffron

A-saffron’s mad about me

I’m-a just mad about saffron

She’s just mad about me

They call me mellow yellow (quite rightly)

Iran produces 93% of the global production of the spice known as saffron. Saffron is a major ingredient in Iranian cooking and is derived from the plant crocus sativus, an autumn-flowering perennial plant. The crocus bulb produces up to four flowers which grow to 8 to 12 inches (20 to 30 cm).

Harvesting saffron in Iran.

The saffron threads are nestled in the blossom of each flower. They are the vivid crimson receptive tip of the carpel. A carpel is one of the individual female reproductive organs in a flower. Not all crocuses are saffron producing, though.

Harvesting saffron in Iran.

With only three strands of saffron in each crocus, it takes 4,500 flowers to make one ounce (28 grams) of saffron. Each strand has to be delicately hand picked.

Removing each strand of saffron from the flower is a delicate and time consuming job.

Saffron crocuses only blossom in mid autumn and they have to be harvested quickly because shortly after the flowers open they begin to wilt.

A saffron farm in Iran.

Saffron can cost up to $315 per ounce. That’s roughly $5,000 a pound! The good news is that only a few strands are needed to flavor an entire meal.

A saffron store in Tajrish Bazaar, north of Tehran.

Iranian saffron is the most intense in the world with the following grades: "sargol" (red stigma tips only which is the strongest grade), "pushal" or "pushali" (red stigmas plus some yellow style; this is a lower strength), "bunch" saffron (red stigmas plus large amount of yellow style, presented in a tiny bundle), and "konge" (yeloow style only, containing aroma but with very little, if any, coloring).

Saffron in grounded using a mortar and pestle.

Saffron was mentioned in detail in a 700 BC Assyrian botanical reference put together during Ashurbanipal’s rule. By 1000 BC, ancient Iranians were cultivating saffron in Derbana, Isfahan, and Khorasan. Saffron threads were woven into textiles, ritually offered to divinities, and used in a variety of personal uses such as dyes, perfumes, medicines, and body washes.

Persian saffron tea.

To cure depression, saffron threads were placed across beds or mixed with hot water to brew saffron tea. To this day in Iran, saffron tea is consumed to battle depression. Picking up from the ancient Iranians, Alexander the Macedonian used Persian saffron in his infusions, in his food, and in his bath. His troops followed the example of the Iranians and brought saffron-bathing to Greece.