How to Choose the Best Saffron for Your Business

Introduction: What is Saffron and Why is it Important?

Saffron is a rare and expensive spice that adds a great taste, color, and smell to dishes. But saffron has different types and qualities that can affect your customers satisfaction. As a wholesale buyer, you need to know how to pick the best saffron for your business, whether you are a retailer, a distributor, a chef, or a restaurateur.

In this guide, we talk about the basics of saffron grading, the factors that affect the quality of saffron, and the tips and tricks to spot and choose the finest saffron, for the best available price, in the market. We will also show you why our premium Super Negin Saffron, the top grade of saffron in the world, is the best option for your business.

What is Saffron and How is it Made?

Saffron is the dried stigma of the Crocus Sativus flower, a purple bloom that grows in mild and dry regions. Each flower has three red stigmas that are hand-picked and separated from the rest of the flower. The stigmas are then dried to keep their taste, color, and smell. Saffron making is a delicate and tedious process that requires skill and experience. It takes about 150,000 flowers to make one kilogram of saffron. The main saffron producers are Iran, Spain, India, Greece, Morocco, and Afghanistan, each with their own varieties and methods.

What are the Different Types and Qualities of Saffron?

Saffron is graded into four levels of quality based on the ISO 3632 standards. The ISO 3632 norms grades saffron according to three criteria: color, taste, and smell, which are measured by the amount of crocin, picrocrocin, and safranal. These are the compounds that give saffron its features and health benefits.

The four types of saffron are:

Type I: Super Negin. This is the best type of saffron, made of the red stigma tips only, with no yellow or white parts. Super negin saffron has the highest amount of crocin, picrocrocin, and safranal, giving it the strongest color, taste, and smell. Super negin saffron is also the most beautiful and consistent type, with long, thick, and intact threads.

Type II: Sargol. This is the second-best type of saffron, made of the red stigmas only, but with some yellow or white parts attached. Sargol saffron has a lower amount of crocin, picrocrocin, and safranal than super negin saffron, giving it a weaker color, taste, and smell. Sargol saffron is also less beautiful and consistent than super negin saffron, with shorter, thinner, and broken threads.

Type III: Pushal. This is the third-best type of saffron, made of the red stigmas and some yellow or white parts attached. Pushal saffron has a much lower amount of crocin, picrocrocin, and safranal than super negin and sargol saffron, giving it a very weak color, taste, and smell. Pushal saffron is also very irregular and unattractive, with long, thin, and fragile threads.

Type IV: Dokhtar. This is the type of saffron with lesser quality, made of the red stigmas and the entire yellow or white parts attached. Dokhtar saffron has the lowest amount of crocin, picrocrocin, and safranal, giving it a negligible color, taste, and smell. Dokhtar saffron is also the most impure and undesirable type, with short, thick, and rough threads.

How to Pick the Best Saffron for Your Business?

As a wholesale buyer, you want to pick the best saffron for your business, as it will affect the flavor, appearance, and happiness of your customers. The best saffron is super negin saffron, as it has the highest quality, purity, and beauty. Here are some tips and tricks to identify and select super negin saffron:

• Check the color. Super negin saffron should have a deep red color, with no yellow or white parts. The color should be even and bright, with no fading or discoloration. The color should also be natural and not enhanced with dyes or additives.
• Check the shape. Super negin saffron should have long, thick, and unbroken threads, with pointed tips. The threads should be straight and smooth, with no curling or wrinkling. The threads should also be dry and not moist or sticky.
• Check the smell. Super negin saffron should have a strong and pleasant smell, with a hint of honey, hay, and floral notes. The smell should be fresh and not stale or musty. The smell should also be genuine and not altered with chemicals or fragrances.
• Check the packaging. Super negin saffron should be packed in airtight and lightproof (UV Filtered) containers, to protect it from moisture, light, and oxygen, which can lower its quality. The packaging should also have clear and accurate labels, with information such as the origin, type, weight, expiration date, and certification of the saffron.
• Check the price. Super negin saffron is the most expensive type of saffron, as it is the most rare and valuable. However, the price should also be reasonable and fair, based on the market value and the quality of the saffron. The price should also reflect the quantity and the service of the seller.

Why Choose Our Premium Super Negin Saffron?

At Persian Saffron Trading, we offer you the finest and purest super negin saffron, sourced directly from the best saffron farms in Qayen, the capital city of saffron in the Khorasan Province. Our saffron is hand-harvested, hand-separated, and hand-dried, following the traditional and organic methods. Our saffron is also tested and certified by the ISO 3632 norms, ensuring that it meets the highest standards.

Our premium super negin saffron is available in different weights and packages, depending on your needs and preferences. We also offer you competitive prices and fast (directly from Qayen) delivery, making your shopping experience easy and convenient. 

If you are looking for the best saffron for your business, look no further than our premium super negin saffron. Order now and discover the difference that our saffron can make for you and your customers.