Saffron

Saffron, known as Kumkum in Ayurveda, is a tri-doshic spice that is warming, aromatic, and nourishing, balancing all three doshas: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. It builds Ojas—the subtle essence linked to vitality and inner strength (immunity), supports digestion, benefits the skin, is sattvic in nature (purity), and enhances mood.

Iran produces 90% of the world’s saffron, and what most people know about it is its price, about the same as gold. Most are unsure how to describe its taste because nothing on earth can compare to it. Saffron tastes like saffron — that's it. 

Because of its value, it is no surprise that saffron is a frequent target of fraudulent practices, including mixing less potent varieties and using undried saffron threads to add weight and cost. To combat saffron fraud, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has established a grading system to assess quality, and Europeans have established the Safranschou code, making saffron adulteration punishable by fines and imprisonment.

Saffron quality is determined by the presence of three chemicals: crocin (determining color), picrocrocin (determining taste), and safranal (determining aroma). Laboratory tests measure crocin, which determines the amounts of picrocrocin and safranal, and assign a grade of I, II, III, or IV.

Saffron is typically sold as thin threads (stigmas) from its purple flower, which produces only three stigmas, each with a distinct color gradient that reflects the range of saffron varieties and their value. The base of the stigma is yellow, and as you move upward, the hue darkens, first turning orange and then deep crimson at the tip. 

The qualities of saffron are broken down below:

Super Negin is the pinnacle where only perfect specimens yield saffron with the finest color and aroma.

Negin has impressive quality and color, with slight imperfections that are invisible to untrained eyes.

Sargol means "top of the flower,” referring to shorter flowers with impressive concentration and color.

Pushal has a two-toned appearance lacking the same intensity, with subtle flavor notes and affordability.

Konj (White Saffron) is a pale-yellow saffron, less potent, used in wellness practices and formulas.

Bunch (Dasteh) is the entire strand structure showing saffron's natural state before processing.