Spice Spotlight - Safran

Getty Images | Credit: Ria Osborne

You will stain your hands if you're not careful. It is one of the most expensive in the area of high-end price of $ 5000 / pound in the United States spices. Yes, I am talking about saffron.

Before entering the kitchen, I had not really heard of saffron. I really had not used much less in all courts seen.

To be honest, saffron with Indian food because the kitchen consumes associated much curry and saffron knew the feeling that the color of curry.

Moreover, I do not know much about them.

Then one day I was flipping through the book Vefa Greek cuisine kitchen and have some saffron rice dish.

Wait, the Greeks used this spice, too?

Then I did some research and found some very interesting things.

Saffron is actually originally from Greece! In addition, according to the Food Science writer Harold McGee, in his famous book "On Food and Cooking: science and traditions of the kitchen" Greece was the first country to cultivate pepper and use.

They say that today is a descendant of cartwrightianus saffron crocus, flower is a native of Crete.

What is saffron so expensive that it makes sense, it must be harvested by hand. Yes, by hand. No machines. Someone tip must choose flowers. What's even more impressive is that it takes about 60000-75000 flowers to make one pound of saffron! It takes about 20 hours to do.

Therefore, if you go to the store to buy saffron, comes in a small glass at a price that does not like to pay, but the reason for this is that a lot of work and effort is made to maintain the input pot.

Unlike other herbs and spices, in which a machine does it all, it is people who work hard.

It is positive, however, this you do not need much. A little goes a long way when cooked. I mean, most of the dishes child will be called at 3-5.

The yarns are mainly saffron. Proceed as 3-5 small child, and that's all you need.

Add in a floor and see a beautiful red to brown.

Today, most saffron are seen in business is the largest commercial producer when Spain and Iran, second largest exporter of Greece. While the forms of flowers found in other areas, such as the United States, Morocco and Afghanistan, Iran is about 90% of it.

Besides the food, you will find saffron dyes and perfumes from India and China. India also used for religious purposes.

In culinary use, it is everywhere. From Spain to India and anywhere. You can add to soups, breads, desserts, stews and even drinks.

It's kind of fun, with because of the wonderful aromas that can bring and how to work with a couple of issues that you can transform a dish!