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Re: Where to buy real saffron?

Posted: Sun Nov 10, 2019 11:54 am
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.

Re: Where to buy real saffron?

Posted: Sun Nov 10, 2019 12:50 pm
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.

Re: Where to buy real saffron?

Posted: Sun Nov 10, 2019 1:52 pm
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...

Re: Where to buy real saffron?

Posted: Sun Nov 10, 2019 1:56 pm
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/

Re: Where to buy real saffron?

Posted: Sun Nov 10, 2019 3:29 pm
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:

Re: Where to buy real saffron?

Posted: Sun Nov 10, 2019 8:20 pm
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

Re: Where to buy real saffron?

Posted: Sun Nov 10, 2019 8:22 pm
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

Re: Where to buy real saffron?

Posted: Tue Nov 12, 2019 12:29 am
by PhotoLady
Welcome 😊

I found jagwheels response highly entertaining and I reckon it explains why no more cake ever appeared 😉

Re: Where to buy real saffron?

Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2020 10:39 pm
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

Re: Where to buy real saffron?

Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2020 10:56 pm
by 71 Trans Am

Re: Where to buy real saffron?

Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2020 1:44 pm
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

Re: Where to buy real saffron?

Posted: Fri Sep 18, 2020 8:25 am
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.