Spice
Saffron
Also called saffron threads
What it is
The dried stigmas of Crocus sativus. Expensive because harvest is manual.
Origin
Likely Iran; also Spain, Kashmir, Greece.
Flavour
Hay, honey, slight bitterness. Colour is part of the job.
How to use it
Steep threads in warm liquid. Powder is easier to fake — buy threads.
Storage
Airtight, dark, cool.
Can you recognise Saffron?
Ingredient challengeQuestions about Saffron
From this ingredient's notes in the catalogue — not a chatbot.
What is Saffron?
The dried stigmas of Crocus sativus. Expensive because harvest is manual.
How do I use Saffron?
Steep threads in warm liquid. Powder is easier to fake — buy threads.
How do I store Saffron?
Airtight, dark, cool.
What does it taste like?
Hay, honey, slight bitterness. Colour is part of the job.
Nutrition
Per 100g · estimate · USDA FoodData Central averages and equivalent published tables. Values are typical, not lab tests of your shopping bag.
Recipes using it
Paella
Paella
A wide-pan rice from Valencia — saffron, sofrito, and a toasted bottom. Not a dumping ground for every seafood in the shop.
1 hr 10 minA bit of workNo chilli
Risotto alla Milanese
Risotto alla Milanese
Saffron risotto, yellow on purpose — bone marrow if you are old-school, butter and parmigiano if you are cooking on a Tuesday.
40 minMediumNo chilli
Kheer
खीर
Rice slowly cooked in milk until it goes creamy, finished with cardamom and nuts.
1 hrEasyNo chilli
Chicken tagine
طاجين الدجاج
Chicken with preserved lemon and olives — the Moroccan pot people mean when they say tagine.
1 hr 15 minMedium🌶️
Arroz con gambas y calamar
Arroz con gambas y calamar from Spain. Times were inferred from the source steps.
42 minMediumNo chilli
Lamb Pilaf (Plov)
Lamb Pilaf
Lamb Pilaf (Plov) from Russia. Times were inferred from the source steps.
2 hr 35 minMediumNo chilli
Pollo en pepitoria
Pollo en pepitoria from Spain. Times were inferred from the source steps.
58 minA bit of workNo chilli
Portuguese fish stew (Caldeirada de peixe)
fish stew
Portuguese fish stew (Caldeirada de peixe) from Portugal. Times were inferred from the source steps.
43 minA bit of work🌶️
Roast fennel and aubergine paella
1 Put the fennel, aubergine, pepper and courgette in a roasting tray. Add a glug of olive oil, season with salt and pepper and toss around to coat the veggies in the oil. Roast in the oven for 20 minutes, turning a coupl
1 hr 6 minA bit of workNo chilli
Seafood fideuà
Boil the kettle. Empty the mussels into a colander and run under cold water. Throw away any with broken shells. Pick through the shells, tapping each one on the side of the sink – they should be closed or should slowly c
1 hr 19 minA bit of workNo chilli
Spanish seafood rice
Spanish seafood rice from Spain. Times were inferred from the source steps.
42 minMediumNo chilli
Chicken with saffron, raisins & pine nuts
Chicken with saffron, raisins & pine nuts from Spain. Times were inferred from the source steps.
1 hr 7 minMediumNo chilli
Keleya Zaara
Keleya Zaara from Tunisia. Times were inferred from the source steps.
40 minMediumNo chilli
Lamb Tagine
Lamb Tagine from Morocco. Times were inferred from the source steps.
2 hr 14 minA bit of workNo chilli
Lamb Biryani
Lamb Biryani from India. Times were inferred from the source steps.
1 hr 54 minA bit of work🌶️