Chieftain^® Wild Rice Company

SAFFRON, POWDER

Description:
Saffron (Crocus Sativus) is the most expensive spice in the world, mainly due to harvesting. Saffron comes from a crocus flower. The female pistil has 3 components, the stigma, style and ovary. The pistil has one style that branches into three distinct stigmas. The three stigmas are the Saffron threads. ; Each crocus flower produces only 3 threads, and it takes over 14,000 stigmas to make 1 lb. of threads! The crocus flowers stand about 1 ft. high and must be harvested by hand. The threads of a crocus are deep red and bright orange in color and are about 1" long. The threads have a taste of bitter almonds. Saffron is used to flavor dishes and as a yellow dye. Most of the Saffron sold in the U.S. comes from Spain. Other areas that produce Saffron include Portugal, Italy, France, Turkey and India.

Suggested Use:
Saffron's delicate flavor compliments light meats, fish and poultry. Frequently used to season Pilaf, Italian Risotto and Mexican Rice. It's often added to breads like Saffron Buns, a traditional part of Swedish Christmas meals. Saffron is directly added to the dish at the beginning of the cooking process.