Like most of the
European spices, Saffron
derives from Arabic
za'fran "be yellow". The
Hindi and Sanskrit names
have been derived from
the Northern Indian
region Kashmir, where
old saffron was
produced. Saffron is the
most expensive spice in
the world. In production
countries the price is
much lower, but so is
the quality. Saffron's
aroma is unique and
there is no substitute
for it. Saffron is the
slender, dried,
reddish-brown, flattened
stigma of a small crocus
of the iris family.
Saffron is cultivated
from the Western
Mediterranean (Spain) to
India (Kashmir). In much
smaller scale, saffron
is also cultivated in
Italy and Greece
(Crete). Of the Western
and Central Asian
cultivation areas, Iran
is most productive and
together with Spain and
Iran produces more than
80% of the world's
production. The saffron
grown in India- Kashmir
has particularly high
reputation, but is
hardly available outside
India.
Saffron is more
important in Central
Asia and Northern India
and is used extensively
for rice dishes.
Even
the North Indian biryanis are relished
due to the fragrant and
aromatic flavor added by
the saffron. Indian
sweets like, kheer, ras
malai, Indian yogurt
drink (lassi), butter
lassi (makhaniya lassi)
have an everlasting
culinary impression due
to the saffron added to
it. The use of saffron
in sweet dishes is
famous in the desert
regions of Jodhpur in
Rajasthan in the Indian
sub continent.
Saffron is unique among
spices due to its aroma.
It is water-soluble and
when added to the dish,
gives a pure and
homogeneous color. In
high dosage, saffron
exhibits toxic
qualities. However, due
to its high price,
saffron poisoning is
very rare.
Often called 'The Golden
Spice', saffron has a
history rooted in
antiquity. It has always
held a very special
place for its
extraordinary medicinal
and flavoring properties
as well as for being a
striking yellow dye.
Indian saffron is
cultivated on a large
scale in the Jammu &
Kashmir valley whose
cool dry climate and
rich soil with excellent
drainage and organic
content make the
location an ideal
thriving ground for this
spice. By every
standard, Indian saffron
is considered superior
to its foreign
counterparts.
Name in international
languages
---------------------------------
Saffron is the
slender, dried,
flattened Stigma of
a small crocus of
the iris family.
Often called 'The
Golden Spice',
Saffron is a
culinary and
medicinal spice used
since time
immemorial.
This bright
orange-red strands
is an expensive
spice appreciated
for its delicate,
distinctive flavour
and striking colour.
It has a peculiar,
exotic, bitter
taste. It is used in
special dishes,
especially in the
preparation of
different type of
sweets. It is also
used in perfumes and
dyes.
Expectant mothers
drink a solution of
saffron and milk in
the belief that the
beauty and
complexion of the
baby would markedly
improve.
Indian Saffron is
cultivated on a
large scale in Jammu
and Kashmir.
Saffron holds the
distinction of being
the world's
costliest spice. The
yield of Saffron
stigmas is quite
small. It takes
30,000 to 35,000
hand-picked blooms
to obtain just one
pound of dried
Benefits of
Kesar (Saffron)
----------------------------
Learn about the
immense benefits
of kesar/
saffron
Benefits of
Kesar (Saffron)
Saffron is the
one among
world's most
expensive spice.
It derives its
name from an
arabic word
Zafran. Saffron
is termed as a
golden spice
mostly because
it is precious
spice with
numerous health
benefits.It is
used in cooking
to add an exotic
aroma and spice
to food, saffron
has the quality
of turning any
dish into a real
special one!
You can buy
saffron either
as as
unprocessed
stigmas (called
saffron threads)
or powdered. The
threads should
be red with
orange tips.
Threads lacking
orange tips may
be dyed, hence
it should be
avoided.
Powdered
saffron, is
easier to use,
since it can be
added directly
to a dish, while
the threads need
to be immersed
in hot water
first.
Apart from its
culinary use,
saffron has
numerous health
benefits:
It is used for
the improvement
of digestion and
appetite. It is used for
treating cough. It is found to
be extremely
beneficial for
providing relief
from gas and
acidity related
problems. Helps in
curing Insomnia
(a pinch of
saffron taken
with warm milk
in the nite
helps curing
insomnia). It is used to
cure spitting up
of blood. It is a very
popular answer
to many skin
problems, like
dry skin,
enhancing and
lightening the
skin tone etc. It is used for
the treatment of
kidney, bladder
and liver
disorders. It
helps in
improving
circulation to
the organs of
digestion. It helps in
treating various
disorders like
asthma,
atherosclerosis,
painful
menstrual
periods and even
depression. Saffron is
considered as a
blood purifier
and
anti-inflammatory
properties. It helps in
relieving
inflammation of
arthritis also
with providing
relief from
joint pains. Massaging the
gums with
saffron helps in
reducing
soreness and
inflammation of
the mouth and
the tongue. It is
recommend to use
of saffron
during pregnancy
as the herb
possess the
property of
raising the body
temperature. Provides
relief from low
back pain. It is an
antioxidant and
has
anti-cancerous
properties. A number of
people also
believe that it
is a potent
aphrodisiac -
that probably
explains the kesar milk that
is a part of the
wedding night
ritual. Saffron is
also said to
have anti-tumor
properties. Saffron being
a blood purifier
helps in
increasing the
oxygen content
of the blood
thereby aiding
in the overall
health and well
being of a
person.
Kesar
Even
the North Indian biryanis are relished
due to the fragrant and
aromatic flavor added by
the saffron. Indian
sweets like, kheer, ras
malai, Indian yogurt
drink (lassi), butter
lassi (makhaniya lassi)
have an everlasting
culinary impression due
to the saffron added to
it. The use of saffron
in sweet dishes is
famous in the desert
regions of Jodhpur in
Rajasthan in the Indian
sub continent.
It is used for
the improvement
of digestion and
appetite.
e mouth and
the tongue.
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2008, www.tajagroproducts.com All rights reserved.