What is the saffron?
Saffron is a spice made from the stigmas of the fall-flowering plant Crocus sativus, a member of the iris family. It is native to Asia Minor, where it has been cultivated for thousands of years to be used in medicines, perfumes, dyes, and as a wonderful flavoring for foods and beverages. Saffron threads are fine and have a yellow tendril on one end and a flute on the other. Ground saffron is red to red-orange in color. Saffron is suitable for vegan, gluten-free, and paleo diets.
Negin:
Negin is basically the saffron when you clean it, the three stigmas are completely separated from the white part (root) and the orange part and there is no color other than red in it. Also, the larger these stigmas, the greater the coloring power and the more beautiful its appearance.
Super Negin:
In this type of saffron, the three-pronged strands of red and thick stigma without the yellow part are separated from the existing strands and bulky saffron is prepared. The most luxurious and expensive type of saffron is Super Negin saffron. It has the highest coloring power (between 230 and 270 units).
Sargol:
In this type, there is no style part (root) and the completely red stigmas are separated from each other, forming pure saffron. The coloring power of Sargol saffron is more than the rest and it is about 210 to 260 units.
Cooking With Saffron
Saffron threads should be crushed before using them in recipes. For ground saffron, it is best to start with saffron threads and lightly toast and grind them yourself. Just be extremely careful not to burn them or they won't be usable. Often, recipes call for only a pinch of saffron, so a little goes a long way.
One common procedure is too steep saffron threads in the cooking liquid before using them. The longer you steep the saffron threads, the stronger the flavor and color of the cooking liquid. Some frugal cooks steep saffron threads and use the liquid in the recipe, and then dry and reuse the threads a second time.
Health Benefits of Saffron
Saffron has a strong aroma and a beautiful colour. Ayurveda celebrates saffron as a natural sedative and expectorant. It is a rich source of antioxidants with numerous health benefits.Moreover, saffron plays a vital role in asthmatic treatment. It is an emmenagogue and apoptogenic agent. Hence including natural immunity boosters like saffron in your daily diet may help. Saffron is a storehouse of carminative, diaphoretic, and aphrodisiac properties.
In ancient times, people used saffron in opioid preparations as an analgesic or painkiller. Studies state that saffron elevates mood, and fights oxidative stress. Saffron is generally safe to consume across all ages within the prescribed doses.