24 Saffron Recipes to Showcase the World's Most Expensive Spice (2025)

FAQs

How much is a pound of saffron cost? ›

It is also used a lot in medicine. But saffron is also very expensive. It can cost $5,000 per pound. That is more expensive than gold.

Saffron can only be harvested and processed by hand as its petals must be peeled away gently to collect the delicate saffron threads. Consequently, an ounce of saffron is valued at more than an ounce of gold. It is unknown exactly where this precious spice originated, but many believe it came from Greece.

Risotto alla Milanese, the traditional accompaniment to osso buco, is flavored with saffron, which is the world's most expensive spice. The deep red filaments are the dried stigmas of a variety of crocus and they're harvested exclusively by hand.

Since such a small part of the flower is used, it takes 75,000 saffron flowers to make one pound of saffron spice. The small amount of saffron spice per plant, along with the fact that harvesting must be done manually, leads to saffron's being majorly expensive.

The culinary benefits of this hard-to-harvest spice, however, are worth every penny. A little saffron goes a long way—just a few crushed threads can completely elevate a dish. Bloom the threads in warm water or broth, or lightly crush and sprinkle them into soups, sauces, batters, etc.

Saffron does not expire, but it does have a shelf life. Like other spices, it loses its strong aroma and flavour as it ages and doesn't get preserved. This priceless spice gets harmed by direct light, oxygen, dampness, and heat. With only a little exposure, your Saffron will quickly lose its optimum freshness.

Saffron is a brightly-colored spice that's high in health-promoting compounds, such as carotenoid antioxidants. Research findings suggest saffron has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects and may improve heart health, reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, improve sleep, and protect eye health.

Saffron is more valuable than gold and diamonds, but how can you tell if it's real or fake? Especially now that companies have become so good at creating fraudulent versions that look very real. Sometimes the best hint is if it's inexpensive, it's probably fake.

Super Negin: The most expensive and rare trim of Saffron. Super Negin saffron is known not only for being the most potent but also for its aesthetically pleasing features. Super Negin threads are longer in length and contain no yellow or orange threads.

What is the most profitable spice? ›

Cardamom: The Jewel of the East

Its growing demand in the food industry makes it the most sought after spices and buyers and sellers can make their business profitable by choosing B2B platforms like Tradologie.com for the export and import of bulk Spices Exporters.

They may cause side effects like anxiety, appetite changes, upset stomach, sleepiness, and headache. Using saffron in high doses or for long periods of time may be risky. Some people are also allergic to saffron.

In fact, ancient Romans were said to use saffron to perfume their baths. When importing saffron into the U.S., importers must file prior notice with the FDA and CBP. This prior notice can be completed through the CBP's Automated Broker Interface (ABI) or the FDA's Prior Notice System Interface (PNSI).

Taking large amounts of saffron by mouth is possibly unsafe. High doses of 5 grams or more can cause poisoning. Doses of 12-20 grams can cause death. When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if saffron is safe or what the side effects might be.

The retail price range in British pound sterling for saffron is between GBP 1,072.26 and GBP 4,878.21 per kilogram or between GBP 486.28 and GBP 2,212.34 per pound(lb) in London and Birmingham.

Though it takes ~75,000 blossoms to grow one pound of saffron, you can easily grow plenty for your own enjoyment with a handful of corms, and I hope that you do! Saffron crocus bloom in fall with lusciously long ochre-orange stigmas (saffron!) emerging alongside yellow, pollen-rich anthers.

£5.49. £4.99. £5.49 Original price was: £5.49.

Saffron is one of the most expensive cooking spices on earth. It comes from a certain type of Crocus flower and it can take around 75,000 flowers to make just 1 pound of saffron! If you measured your weight in saffron, how much would it be worth?