Saffron is one of the highly prized spices known since antiquity for its color, flavor and medicinal properties. It is the dried “stigma” or threads of the flower of the Crocus sativus plant. It is a bulbous perennial plant that belongs to the family of Iridaceae, in the genus, Crocus, and known botanically as Crocus sativus.
This exotic spice is a native of Southern Europe and today cultivated worldwide in many countries, particularly in Iran,Spain, Italy, France, Greece, Turkey and in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir.
The Crocus sativus plant grows to about 15- 20cm in height and bears lavender colored flowers during each season which lasts from October until November. Each flower features perianth consisting of a stalk, known as “style,” connecting to three “stigmas” or threads to the rest of the plant. These orange-yellow colored stigmas along with the “style” constitute “saffron” a prized condiment spice.
Good saffron crop production demands cold, dry climate with well-drained rich fertile soil and irrigation facilities or sufficient amount of rainfall. The flowers harvested during the early-morning hours and soon their stigma separated, allowed to dry, and packed for marketing.
Saffron has a distinct flavor that comes from chemical compounds in it such as picrocrocin, and safranal. It also contains a natural carotenoid chemical compound, crocin, which gives saffron its golden-yellow hue. These traits along with its medicinal properties make it a valuable ingredient in many cuisines worldwide.
Health Benefits of Saffron
- Saffron contains several plant-derived chemical compounds that are known to have been antioxidant, disease preventing, and health promoting properties.
- Their flower pistils compose several essential volatile oils, but the most important of them all is safranal which gives saffron its pleasant flavor. Other volatile oils in saffron are cineole, phenethenol, pinene, borneol, geraniol, limonene, p-cymene, linalool, terpinen-4-oil, etc.
- This colorful spice has many non-volatile active components; the most important of them is α-crocin, a carotenoid compound, which gives pistils their natural golden-yellow color. It also contains other carotenoids, including zeaxanthin, lycopene, α- and ß-carotenes. These are important antioxidants that help protect the human body from oxidant-induced stress, cancers, infections and acts as immune modulators.
- The active components in saffron have many therapeutic applications in many traditional medicines as antiseptic, antidepressant, antioxidant, digestive, anti-convulsant.
- This novel spice is an excellent source of minerals like copper, potassium, calcium, manganese, iron, selenium, zinc and magnesium. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids that helps control heart rate and blood pressure. The human body uses manganese and copper as co-factors for the antioxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase. Iron is essential for red blood cell production and as a co-factor for cytochrome oxidases enzymes.
- Additionally, it is also rich in many vital vitamins, including vitamin-A, folic acid, riboflavin, niacin, and vitamin-C that is essential for optimum health.
| Principle | Nutrient Value | Percentage of RDA |
|---|---|---|
| Energy | 310 Kcal | 15.5% |
| Carbohydrates | 65.37 g | 50% |
| Protein | 11.43 g | 21% |
| Total Fat | 5.85 g | 29% |
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.9 g | 10% |
| Vitamins | ||
| Folates | 93 µg | 23% |
| Niacin | 1.46 mg | 9% |
| Pyridoxine | 1.010 mg | 77% |
| Riboflavin | 0.267 mg | 20% |
| Vitamin A | 530 IU | 18% |
| Vitamin C | 80.8 mg | 135% |
| Electrolytes | ||
| Sodium | 148 mg | 10% |
| Potassium | 1724 mg | 37% |
| Minerals | ||
| Calcium | 111 mg | 11% |
| Copper | 0.328 mg | 37% |
| Iron | 11.10 mg | 139% |
| Magnesium | 264 mg | 66% |
| Manganese | 28.408 mg | 1235% |
| Phosphorus | 252 mg | 36% |
| Selenium | 5.6 µg | 10% |
| Zinc | 1.09 mg | 10% |
Medicinal uses
- The active components present in saffron have many therapeutic applications in many traditional medicines since a long time as anti-spasmodic, carminative, diaphoretic.
- Research studies have shown that safranal, a volatile oil found in the spice, has antioxidant, cytotoxic effect on cancer cells, anticonvulsant and antidepressant properties.
- The α-crocin, a carotenoid compound, which gives the spice its characteristic golden-yellow hue, has been found to have antioxidant, antidepressant, and anti-cancer properties. (Medical disclaimer).
Selection and storage
Fresh saffron is available in the specialised spice markets. Try to buy whole dried stigma (pistils) instead of powdered saffron since often it may be adulterated. Choose well-sealed container from the authentic selling company label displaying the date of package and expiry.
Fresh spice should feature bright crimson-red color, and when rubbed between fingers, should release a very pleasant aroma and stain golden-yellow. Look for lengthy stamens, each measuring 2 to 4 cm in length. Avoid inferior quality product featuring gray color streaks or light spots on the stigma.This spice has a unique, pungent bitter-honey taste with a pleasant aroma.
Store inside a closed box and keep it in cool dark place (preferably inside the refrigerator) away from the light since light rays oxidize the pigments in saffron and offset its flavor.
Culinary uses
Just a pinch of fresh saffron is enough to enhance the flavor and color of the entire recipe.
There are several methods to use it in the kitchen. the whole stigma can be added directly to the preparations, or often, the threads are ground to paste using traditional mortar and pestle and added to the recipes. In the third method, a pinch of saffron is added to a cup of hot water, steep; add this water to the ingredients.
Here are some serving tips:
- Saffron employed as a flavoring base and coloring base in both food and drinks in the Mediterranean, and Asian cuisines.
- Popularly known as “kesar” in the Indian subcontinent, it has been in use in the preparation rice-pilaf, rice-pudding, “halwa” and other sweet dishes in many Indian, Pakistani, and Cental Asian countries. It is also used as a color and flavoring base in the preparation of kulfi, ice-creams, cakes and drinks.
Safety profile
High doses of saffron can act as a uterine stimulant and in severe cases can cause miscarriage. Therefore, pregnant women may be advised to avoid this spice in the diet.
(Medical Disclaimer: The information and reference guides on this website are intended solely for the general information for the reader. It is not to be used to diagnose health problems or for treatment purposes. It is not a substitute for medical care provided by a licensed and qualified health professional. Please consult your health care provider for any advice on medications.)
