What is Saffron ?

There are questions about red gold .Iranian Saffron known as the red gold .

So what is saffron? What's Saffron benefits ? 

saffron is a magic ingredient in Persian culture .This expensive spice has long been a high-demand commodity and even triggered a war in 1374 in central Europe. But let’s take a closer look at saffron in Iran and see why you should keep it in your souvenir shopping list.

History of saffron?

Greeks are claiming that saffron came from their land , The Iranian say that cultivation of saffron first took place in Iran. The word saffron derives from the Arab word zafaran. Researchers have shown through historic documents that saffron has its origin in the Zargos mountain range in Iran (over 4000 years),This argument about the first origin is endless.

Right now Iran is the biggest producers of saffron in the world , about 85% of the world’s saffron grown in a year, roughly about 390 tons .

The number is huge, considering that every 500 saffron stigmas weighs only one gram.

Saffron types in The Market : 

Saffron thread

Saffron Threads are dried stigmas of saffron. Each flower of saffron has three red color stigmas that after harvesting are collected and dried to be used mainly as a natural flavoring & coloring & aromatic in varieties of our foods, drinks, desserts, pastries, and beverages, pharmaceutical especially in family celebrations. Question, How to select Dried threads (whole stigmas)? There are different items that we should attend them such as slight moistness, elasticity/ but 

Saffron powder

Saffron powder is one of the most productions of saffron and use more for restaurants, pastries, factories and etc. This (Much attention) is due to various reasons such as low price, high color power, reduce transport costs and etc. But you should attend to this matter that saffron powder has lower aroma than saffron threads and also is more prone to adulteration, with turmeric, paprika, and other powders used as diluting fillers.

In the recent years, the other production of saffron product and export to the international markets. These productions are such as Saffron Pill, Saffron Spray and etc. We will post the articles about productions of saffron soon.

Saffron Benefits

Saffron has used more for food consumption so we will prefer to search about medicinal benefits. This valid spice is rich source of high Nutrients. Maybe it is funny for you that saffron is good source of minerals, vitamins, Fatty acids and even protein.

Saffron Vitamins

Saffron Vitamin C: Saffron Vitamin C is an antioxidant that can:
The body cells protection as the damaging effects of free radicals
Be important for the formation of collagen, cartilage, blood vessels, and muscles
Prevent conditions such as colon cancer, atherosclerosis, and diabetic heart disease.
Pure and natural Saffron vitamin C (80 mg per 100 g) has good and excellent function in the immune system. It is a powerful antioxidant which protects our bodies from stress, cancer types, viruses that cause cough and colds. Also helps to collagen, cartilage, blood vessels, and muscles.

Saffron Vitamin B: The Saffron contains smaller amounts of vitamin B but there are different kinds of vitamin B into the saffron. These vitamins help the process your body uses to get or make energy from the food you eat. They also help form red blood cells. They are including:
Saffron Vitamin B1/thiamine – 0.115 mg: This vitamin is important in the production of energy. It helps the body cells convert carbohydrates into energy. It is also essential for the functioning of the heart, muscles, and nervous system.
Learn: Our daily requirement is 1.2 mg for adult males and 1.1 mg for women and also Children need 6 to 9 mg of B1/thiamine per day.

Saffron Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) – 0.267 mg: Vitamin B2 is important for body growth, reproduction and red cell production. It also helps in releasing energy from carbohydrates.
Learn: Our daily requirement is 1.3 mg for adult males and 1.1 mg for women and – 1.5 mg if pregnant/lactating. Children need 6 to 9 mg of B2/riboflavin per day.

Saffron Vitamin B3 (Niacin) – 1.460 mg: Niacin helps in the functioning of the digestive system, skin, and nerves. It is also important for the conversion of food to energy.
Learn: Our daily requirement is 16 mg for adult males and 14 mg for women and 17-18 mg if pregnant/lactating. Children need 9 – 16 mg of niacin per day.

Saffron Vitamin B6 /pyridoxine – 1.010 mg: B6 plays a role in the creation of antibodies in the immune system. It helps maintain normal nerve function and acts in the formation of red blood cells. It is also required for the chemical reactions of proteins. The higher the protein intake, the more need there is for vitamin B6.
Learn: Our daily requirement is 1.3 to 1.7 mg for adults – 2 mg for women who are pregnant or lactating. Children need between 0.6 to 1.3 mg B6 per day.

Vitamin B9 (Folate) – 1 mcg: Folate and folic acid are both forms of B9. Folate occurs naturally in fresh foods, but folic acid found in supplements. Your body needs folate to produce red blood cells, as well as components of the nervous system. It helps in the formation and creation of DNA and maintaining normal brain function. It has also been proven to reduce the risk for an NTD-affected (neural tube defect) pregnancy by 50 to 70 percent. Folic acid is vital for proper cell growth and development of the embryo. That is why it is important for a woman to have enough folate/folic acid in her body both before and during pregnancy.
Learn: Our daily requirement is 400 mcg for most adults – pregnant women 600 mcg and breastfeeding women should get at least 500 mcg. Children need between 150 to 300 mcg per day.