Benefits Of Saffron

BENEFITS OF SAFFRON

Saffron is a small, bulbous, perennial spice, a member of the lily family. To produce saffron, the stigmas [the part of the flower, which catches pollen] must be painstakingly handpicked, cut from the white style and then carefully laid on a sieve and cured over heat to deepen the flavor- a process so labor intensive that saffron is the most expensive spice in the world. Currently saffron is commercially produced in Iran, Greece, Morocco, Spain, Kashmir and Italy. Iran is the most important producer of saffron both, in terms of volume and quality, and Spain being the largest importer of the spice. Saffron is a labour intensive crop, which makes it so expensive. It has three delicate crimson stigmas in the centre, which are hand-picked, placed on a riddle, and cured over heat to amplify its flavour. Apart from being the most expensive spice, there are many benefits of saffron, which makes it even more special. 

 

 

·         Saffron  is a spice derived from the flower of Crocus sativus commonly known as the "saffron crocus". The vivid crimson stigma and styles, called threads, are collected and dried for use mainly as a  seasoning and colouring agent in food.

·         Saffron has long been the world's most costly spice by weight. Although some doubts remain on its origin it is believed that saffron originated in Iran. However, Greece and Mesopotamia have also been suggested as the possible region of origin of this plant: Harold McGee states that it was domesticated in or near Greece during the Bronze Age. C. sativus is possibly a triploid  form of  Crocus cartwrightianus which is also known as "wild saffron". 

·         Saffron crocus slowly propagated throughout much of  Eurasia  and was later brought to parts of North Africa, North America and  Oceania Saffron's taste and iodoform like or hay like fragrance result from the phytochemicals picrocrocin  and safranal It also contains a carotenoid pigment, crocin, which imparts a rich golden-yellow hue to dishes and textiles. 

 

 

·         Its recorded history Its recorded history is attested in a 7th-century BC Assyrian botanical treatise, and has been tranded and used for thousands of years. In the 21^st century, Iran produces some 90% of the world total for saffron. At US $5,000 per kg or higher, saffron is the world's most expensive spice.

 

·          Benefits Of Saffron

            Saffron has been shown to be helpful in several diseases, and according to a review study from 2015, it's time to move into more advanced stages of study or to even develop a drug for the use of saffron in the treatment of depression and Alzheimer's disease. However, there's much weaker supporting evidence for most other proposed uses, including preventing or treating cancer, reducing cholesterol and other cardiovascular benefits, and improving skin.