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An Aromatic Saffron Challenge for Spice Lovers
Priya Johnson
Let's find out how much we know about this exotic red-orange spice by playing this challenge!
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Quick Fact
Saffron is a popular spice used for seasoning and as fragrance, dye, and medicine.
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Saffron is actually the dried stigmas of the flower. Sometimes, the yellow styles are also sold along with the red stigmas.
Quick Fact
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Did You Know?
One kilogram of saffron costs between $3000-$4000. It requires the stigmas of over 150,000 crocus flowers.
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Fascintating Fact
Per flower, only 3 stigmas are present for harvesting. These stigmas need to be hand-plucked and dried for 12 hours.
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One of the most traditional dishes of Milan, this dish gets its vibrant yellow color from saffron threads.
Risotto alla Milanese
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Saffron is available in strand as well as powdered form. Turmeric, pomogranate and beetroot powders are mixed to adulterate and stretch the product.
Quick Fact
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Altered or adultrated saffron may appear dark red, but when added to water will release the color instantly.
Quick Fact
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India is the second largest producer of saffron in the world, followed by Greece, Afghanisthan, Morocco and Spain.
Quick Fact
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Handpicking is Expensive!
The delicate stigmas need to be handpicked, which makes it a very expensive process.
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Traditionally the yellow color in paella comes from saffron, however, turmeric and calendulla can also be used as substitutes.
Good to Know
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Because of saffron's mood-boosting and anti-depressant properties, it's popularly consumed as saffron tea.
Did You Know?
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Did You Know?
Saffron is never found growing in the wild. It is always cultivated.
“Interested in some spices,” said Rook. “I’m just mad about saffron.”
- Richard Castle
Time to find out the scores...