Saffron .....Kesar......Zafaran

Botanical Name:

Crocus sativus

Common and Other Names:

saffron, safran, azafran, zafferano

According to Greek mythology, handsome mortal Crocos fell in love with the beautiful nymph Smilax. But alas, his favors were rebuffed by Smilax, and he was turned into a beautiful purple crocus flower. 

The word saffron derives from the Arab word zafaran, meaning yellow, and it was mentioned as far back as 1500 b.c. in many classical writings, as well as in the Bible. Further derivations come from the Old French safran, Medieval Latin safranum, and Middle English safroun. 

Saffron is harvested from the fall-flowering plant Crocus sativus, a member of the Iris family. It is native to Asia Minor, where it has been cultivated for thousands of years to be used in medicines, perfumes, dyes, and as a wonderful flavoring for foods and beverages. 

The red-gold threads were also highly prized by pharoahs and kings as an aphrodisiac, yet large amounts produce deathly narcotic effects. 

Saffron has been used medicinally to reduce fevers, cramps and enlarged livers, and to calm nerves. It has also been used externally to for bruises, rheumatism, and neuralgia. (Warning! Do not use medicinally without consulting your physician.) 

Although the majority of the world's saffron is produced in Iran, Spain is the world's largest exporter of saffron.

Health Benefits of Saffron:

   
Digestion: Saffron is helpful in the improvement of digestion and appetite, because it helps in improving circulation to the organs of digestion. It coats the membranes of stomach and colon which help in soothing gastrointestinal colic and acidity. Kidney and liver problem: This spice s found to be extremely beneficial for the treatment of kidney, bladder and liver disorders. Saffron is considered as a blood purifier

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Gas and acidity:  Saffron is effective for providing relief from gas and acidity related problems.

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·         Athritis: It helps in relieving inflammation of arthritis. Saffron also provides relief from joint pains. It is very helpful for athletes as it eases fatigue and muscle inflammation by helping the tissues to get rid of lactic acid which gets built up after strenuous exercise.

Insomnia: It is said that saffron is also a mild sedative which can be used for insomnia and even treat depression. Taking a pinch of saffron with milk before bed helps in sleep disorders like insomnia.

·         Fever: Saffron also contains the compound “crocin”, which scientists believe that helps in reducing fever. Crocin found in saffron also promotes learning, memory retention, and recall capacity. 

·         Eye problem: Saffron improves eye and vision health. In a recent research study, every participant who took saffron had vision improvements. Notably, saffron has been reported to significantly helping vision in the instance of cataracts.

·         Gums: Massaging the gums with saffron helps in reduce soreness and inflammation of the mouth and the tongue.

More Saffron Benefits

·         Among the multiple health benefits of saffron are the treatment of asthma, menstrual discomfort, atherosclerosis, depression, whooping cough, and many other health problems. 

·         It also helps to lower the levels of bad cholesterol and triglycerides. Saffron can be applied topically as a paste to relieve dryness and other skin conditions. It is useful in general health problem like headache, cough and cold. Pregnant women are advised to take saffron as it is believed that it improves the color of baby.

How to Use Saffron?

Saffron is used to improve taste and smell in many food items . You can use saffron in kheer, above sweets, in dishes like biryani, risotto, paella, fabada or pote gallego etc. You can adda pinch of saffron in your daily glass of milk. Applying milk mixed with saffron on skin refine the skin tone.

How to Choose Saffron?

Saffron is very expensive. There are also many adulterated and fake products being dyed to imitate saffron. To find out whether you have pure saffron or not, immerse a bit of the product in warm water or milk. If the liquid colors immediately, then the saffron is fake. Pure saffron must soak in either warm water or milk for at least 10 to 15 minutes before its deep red-gold color and the saffron aroma begin to develop.

Saffron Forms:

Available in threads (whole stigmas) and ground, your best bet is to go with the threads. Not only will they retain their flavor longer, but you will also be assured you have purchased pure saffron. Powdered saffron is not as strong, tends to lose flavor, and is also easily adulterated with fillers and imitations. Since so little is needed, you will find ground saffron sold in packets of about 1/16 of a teaspoon, and threads equaling about 1/4 gram or 1/2 of a teaspoon.

Saffron Storage:

Store saffron in an airtight container in a cool, dark place for up to six months for maximum flavor. Saffron, like other herbs and spices, is sensitive to light, so wrap the packet in foil to protect it further. It will not spoil, but it will lose increasingly more and more of its flavor with age.

Miscellaneous Saffron Information:

It is estimated that it takes some 14,000 stigmas to produce only one ounce of saffron threads. The labor-intensive process makes the cost of these bright red threads upwards of Rs.2,750 per quarter-ounce. Luckily, a little bit goes a long way. Tumeric is often substituted for saffron, at a great loss of flavor.