Where to buy real saffron?

Chat with fellow forum users. No adverts or trade links in here please.
Post Reply
User avatar
Aargent
Posts: 367
Joined: Wed Dec 28, 2016 8:40 am
Location: Theletra Village

Re: Where to buy real saffron?

Post by Aargent »

Are you sure it was real Lloyd.
It is so expensive because it is an extremely labor-intensive crop.The buds developed to complete flowers in the fall. Each flower has three threadlike thing in the center. ... more than 80,000 crocus flowers must be grown, cared for, hand-harvested and processed to make one pound of saffron. Can cost up to € 5000 a pound.
In a previous life I used to supply the kitchens at Gleneagles Hotel and the Chef kept the Saffron in the safe.
Alastair

Nil illigitimi carborundum
Jamboal
Posts: 155
Joined: Wed Dec 28, 2016 2:01 pm
Location: Prodromi

Re: Where to buy real saffron?

Post by Jamboal »

I believe Smarts stock it, also it would be worth contacting Catherine at the Spice House in Peristerona as I’m sure she sells it as well.
User avatar
PhotoLady
Posts: 2731
Joined: Wed Dec 28, 2016 10:53 am
Location: Where the river meets the sea
Contact:

Re: Where to buy real saffron?

Post by PhotoLady »

Many people sell saffron as the genuine article when in fact it's a mix / blend and will change colour to yellow immediately you pour water over a little of it.

A nice little video here about it and how to test if it's real or fake:


I don't think a trip to Iran may be in the offing...
"Have Camera, Will Travel"
User avatar
PhotoLady
Posts: 2731
Joined: Wed Dec 28, 2016 10:53 am
Location: Where the river meets the sea
Contact:

Re: Where to buy real saffron?

Post by PhotoLady »

I did find this place which sells online and says they source from Persia / Iran and they do ship to Cyprus:
https://www.thepersiantrader.com/
"Have Camera, Will Travel"
User avatar
jagwheels
Posts: 1987
Joined: Wed Dec 28, 2016 1:57 pm
Location: Burbage UK

Re: Where to buy real saffron?

Post by jagwheels »

I found this interesting. As a Cornishman saffron is often used in cakes & a cousin once asked me if we could buy it in Paphos as it was very expensive. Found some in the old market, yellow in colour & inexpensive. Never did hear how it went but she never made me a saffron cake again. Not sure if a vendor would allow you to perform the tests in Photolady's video to check if real :shock:
Kili01
Posts: 4652
Joined: Thu Dec 29, 2016 9:41 am

Re: Where to buy real saffron?

Post by Kili01 »

I saw some Saffron in the large herb and spices section at Papantinou yesterday in small glass bottles, but can’t vouch for its quality,. It was in the Chloraka store,

Dee
Kili01
Posts: 4652
Joined: Thu Dec 29, 2016 9:41 am

Re: Where to buy real saffron?

Post by Kili01 »

I saw some Saffron in the large herb and spices section at Papantinou yesterday in small glass bottles, but can’t vouch for its quality,. It was in the Chloraka store,

Dee
User avatar
PhotoLady
Posts: 2731
Joined: Wed Dec 28, 2016 10:53 am
Location: Where the river meets the sea
Contact:

Re: Where to buy real saffron?

Post by PhotoLady »

Welcome 😊

I found jagwheels response highly entertaining and I reckon it explains why no more cake ever appeared 😉
"Have Camera, Will Travel"
User avatar
71 Trans Am
Posts: 685
Joined: Wed Dec 28, 2016 6:17 pm
Location: Newcastle Upon Tyne and Paphos

Re: Where to buy real saffron?

Post by 71 Trans Am »

Hi Lloyd
Very interesting stuff if you can buy it in supermarkets for a modest price it makes you wonder what you are actually getting for your money - If you go to the other end of the scale it would also make you wonder what you were getting for your money - It seems to need humidity, heat and plenty of sun to grow correctly and the best stuff is detected by its fragrance at night ( a bit like Honeysuckle) But once packaged it all looks the same and has very little fragrance until moistened so how do you know if you are being poked ? Some wild prices even for moderate stuff.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/p/7031190092?iid ... gLBQPD_BwE
User avatar
71 Trans Am
Posts: 685
Joined: Wed Dec 28, 2016 6:17 pm
Location: Newcastle Upon Tyne and Paphos

Re: Where to buy real saffron?

Post by 71 Trans Am »

NesaBayrampour
Posts: 1
Joined: Sun Aug 30, 2020 3:25 pm

Re: Where to buy real saffron?

Post by NesaBayrampour »

Hi Lloyd, First of all, I would like to thank you for posting my message.
Also, I would be more than happy to help anyone in buying real saffron.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me via my email: bayrampournesa@gmail.com
Thanks again and wish you all the best of luck. :)
Nesa
User avatar
PhotoLady
Posts: 2731
Joined: Wed Dec 28, 2016 10:53 am
Location: Where the river meets the sea
Contact:

Re: Where to buy real saffron?

Post by PhotoLady »

Fake saffron can be corn silk threads, safflower (an unrelated thistle), coconut filaments or even dyed horse hair, or shredded paper.

Always better to try the water test, if the vendor has it loose.
"Have Camera, Will Travel"
Post Reply