[Your Soil Story#1] Kashmiri Saffron...World's Costliest Spice from Our Land.

Hello Steemers!!!
Today i will be sharing one of Many upcoming stories about my homeland Kashmir, which is home to many rare and wonderful species of Plants and Animals besides being The Paradise on Earth. This Series #YourSoilStory will include such indigenous gifts of Nature from one's homeland. I am looking forward for such posts on Steemit under this series and would appreciate such posts from other Steemians as well. The idea for this series came upon reading one of the beautiful posts by @aiqabrago about Gayo Coffee...The Best Coffee in the world, which is cultivated from his home soil.
Coming back home, Today i will Post about a Costliest Spice in the world, which also happens to be our indigenous cultivated spice...Saffron or Zaffran or Kesar or Koung (in Kashmiri).

Saffron

Saffron is the world famous spice used in many culinary preparations for its aroma, color and seasoning quality. Saffron spice, as you all know, is derived from the flower of Crocus sativus species. The stigmas and styles aka 'threads' of the flower which are crimson red in color are basically what constitutes the spice. These threads are separated and dried for making the spice. The Crocus Cultivation is pretty much the hardest labour out of all the spices. The timing of Flower picking and the care it needs while cultivating, picking, trimming and drying makes it the most intense crop in terms of labour. This is also a reason for its peak prices in the market.

Due to its High Market Price, it is also known as Red Gold.

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Kashmir is the only state in India and one among the top three Places in the world to cultivate the Saffron. Iran is considered at Top in terms of Production, nearly 70% of the world.

History

It is believed that Saffron was first cultivated in Greece. The Documented history of Saffron cultivation goes back to about 3500 years ago in late Bronze Age. However, some Saffron pigments have been found in 50,000 years old depictions from Iran suggesting its prehistoric use.
In Kashmir, the Saffron is believed to be transported from Iran between some 2500 to 900 years ago. However, According to a Chinese Herbalist Wan Zhen, the Habitat for Saffron (Kashmiri) is Principally in Kashmir.

Kashmiri Saffron

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In Kashmir, the Saffron is cultivated mainly in Pampore and Kistawar areas. These contain a favourable type of soil for its cultivation...Karewa Soil. The other areas where Saffron is also produced are various parts of Budgam and Srinagar. Pampore which lies in Pulwama District is known as Saffron Bowl of Kashmir. The Saffron grows from a corm which flowers once a year in the Month of October.
Saffron is the most important foreign exchange earners crop among spices in India. About 49%of its total produce is exported. Around 2300kg of Saffron is Produced in Kashmir Annually.

India (exclusively Kashmir) is the 3rd largest exporter of Saffron.

Quality

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The Saffron of Kashmir has thicker head and long stigmas. It is the darkest of all the saffrons in the world. This type of Saffron is known for having the strong flavor, aroma and coloring property. In terms of quality it surpasses all other varities in the world, however, in production rates it lags behind.

Iranian Saffron is 1/2 the Price of Kashmiri Saffron.

Kashmiri Saffron is very rare in the world market owing to its less production that also makes it more costlier than other Saffrons available.
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Saffron flowers are hand plucked in the early mornings in order to protect them from sun. The petals of a flower are then removed and stigmas and styles of a flower are separated from the rest of the flower. The stigmas and the styles or threads are then dried cautiously in order to get dehydrated for longer shelf life. These all are done manually and every process requires a keen professional eye in order to maintain the quality of Saffron. The dry weight of the Saffron is what is worth of Gold. The wet weight is reduced by almost about 20X to make the dry Saffron.

About 100kilograms of the Flowers are required to produce 3kilograms of dehydrated Saffron.

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Types of Kashmiri Saffron

There are 3 types of Kashmiri Saffron which are exclusively produced in Kashmir. These vary in quality as well as in Color along with price. These are:

• MONGRA SAFFRON
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  this is the highest quality Kashmiri Saffron which consists of deep crimson red threads with large heads. The Saffron has best aroma, coloring property. This is also the most priced Saffron for its rarity and Quality.

• LACHHA SAFFRON
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  This is another type of Saffron which consists of long, flat and dark red threads and some yellow threads. This is used for aroma, coloring agent, and also have some medicinal properties.

• ZARDA SAFFRON
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  This type of Saffron consists only Yellow Threads and some floral dust. This type of Saffron has its use in some of the medicines and also in tobacco industry.

Uses of Saffron

• Food
  Saffronis widely used in South Asia, Iran, Europe and Arab Countries to enhance the flavor of the cuisines and give them the best aroma and color.
  In Indian Subcontinent, the Saffron is used in biryanis.
  It is used widely in Wazawan (a multi course meal in Kashmir) to prepare meat or meatballs in yoghurt aka Yakhni.

In Kashmir, a special tea is made from Saffron called as Zafrani or Koung Kehwa.

• Nutrition
  Saffron is rich in Vit B complex, Dietary manganese and minerals. It also consists of 65% Carbohydrates, 11% Proteins, 12% Water, 6% Fat.

• Medicine
  It is used as a medicine in a number of health problems. Due to presence of certian compounds like crocin, saffron, safranal, etc it acts as analgesic in inflammatory response, also protective against nephrotoxicity and is cardio protective. Acts as anti oxidant in the cells. Also show strong activity against Bacterias and fungi. It is also studied to help in Mild to moderate disorder of Depression.
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• Perfumes
  Due to its exotic aroma Saffron is used in the preparation of many Perfumes.

• Cosmetics
  It acts as an active ingredient in many skin creams and Cosmetic agents.

• Religion
  Saffron is used as a precious and prestigious components in some religious rituals.

• Textile Dyes

• Tobacco industry

How to check the quality of Saffron?

Due to its high cost in the market, Saffron is highly susceptible for the fraudulent preparations and food adulteration. If you see an impossible deal in the market regarding cost of Saffron, Get that clear that it is not the high quality saffron.

1. The real Saffron threads should be fine, even in size, thin yellow on one end and trumpet red on other end like the one on below right side. A sweet smell is also present in the Saffron.

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2. The saffron should turn warm water to bright yellow after soaking a few threads in it. The threads should almost be dissolved in the water. However, the adultered Saffron will leave a bulk of smudge on the bottom and the color will vary from bright yellow.

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Where to Buy?

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You can Buy Saffron from any Store online or offline that is accredited with some certification from the Officials of Food Department. There are many online services that currently operate in the Kashmir State and Provide Delivery options worldwide. Here is one such Store:

Kashmir Box

Crocus Quality Saffron

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1. Wikipedia
2. Greater Kashmir
3. Serious Eats
4. Crocus Saffron

HAVE YOU READ MY LAST POST:

1. TEETH GRINDING OR BRUXISM

2. HOW DO YOU KNOW YOUR TOOTH NEEDS A ROOT CANAL

3. TOOTH DISCOLORATION

So this is it for now...
Till next time.

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