Dr. Bilal Ahmad Bhat, What should I Look For In Saffron?

 



Dr. Bilal Ahmad Bhat, What should I Look For In Saffron?

Saffron is a highly prized and expensive spice, which is widely used in cooking, medicine, and cosmetics. It is produced from the dried stigmas of the Crocus sativus flower, which is a delicate and labor-intensive process. Due to its high value, saffron is often adulterated with other materials to increase its bulk or lower its cost. Therefore, it is essential to know what to look for when buying saffron to ensure that you get a high-quality product.

Dr. Bilal Ahmad Bhat, the founder of the Saffron Cottage brand, recommends that you look for the following characteristics when purchasing saffron:

Bright red stigmas: The highest quality saffron has only bright red stigmas (red filaments) and no other part of the saffron flower in the pack. The yellow part of the plant, known as the style, has no culinary value, so it adds dead weight to the saffron, and the customer ends up paying for it.

Dryness: Saffron filaments must be dry and brittle to the touch. Any presence of moisture beyond 4-5% only adds extra weight, lowers the quality, and shortens the shelf life of saffron.

Aroma: The aroma of saffron is strong and fresh, never musty. If saffron smells musty or moldy, it is a sign of poor quality or adulteration.

Color: Pure red stigmas will always measure higher on the coloring scale. The ISO has recommended a coloring strength between 190-200 for fine quality saffron.

Purity: Genuine saffron should not contain any added mineral or vegetable oil, which would leave an oily stain when the filaments are pressed between unglazed papers.

Ash content: The ash content should not exceed 8%, as this could indicate the presence of added inorganic substances, which may be artificially colored.

Price: Saffron is a highly valued and expensive spice, so be wary of prices that seem too good to be true. Cheap saffron is often adulterated or of low quality, and you may end up paying more for less.

By looking for these characteristics, you can ensure that you purchase high-quality saffron that will enhance the flavor, aroma, and color of your dishes. It is also important to buy from a reputable source and store your saffron properly to maintain its quality and freshness.

Location: No.16, 1, Jalan Apollo Ch U5/Ch, Bandar Pinggiran Subang, 40150 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia

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