Saffron/ja: Difference between revisions

[[File:Saffron - premium spice.jpg|alt=Saffron|thumb|Saffron crocus, ''Crocus sativus'', with its vivid crimson stigmas and styles]]

'''Saffron''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|s|æ|f|r|ə|n|,_|-|r|ɒ|n}}) is a spice derived from the flower of ''[[Crocus sativus]]'', commonly known as the "saffron crocus". The vivid crimson [[stigma (botany)|stigma]] and [[style (botany)|styles]], called threads, are collected and dried for use mainly as a [[seasoning]] and [[Food coloring|colouring agent]] in food. The saffron crocus was slowly propagated throughout much of Eurasia and was later brought to parts of North Africa, North America, and [[Oceania]].

Saffron's taste and [[iodoform]]-like or [[hay]]-like fragrance result from the [[phytochemical]]s [[picrocrocin]] and [[safranal]]. It also contains a [[carotenoid]] pigment, [[crocin]], which imparts a rich golden-yellow hue to dishes and textiles. Its quality is graded by the proportion of red stigma to yellow style, varying by region and affecting both potency and value.  As of 2024, [[Iran]] produced some 90% of the world total for saffron. At US$5,000 per kg or higher, saffron has long been the world's costliest spice by weight.

The [[English language|English]] word saffron likely originates from the [[Old French]] ''safran'', which traces back through [[Latin]] and [[Persian language|Persian]] to the word ''zarparān'', meaning “gold strung.” It is a [[Sterility (physiology)|sterile]], human-propagated, [[autumn]]-flowering plant descended from wild relatives in the eastern [[Mediterranean Sea|Mediterranean]], cultivated for its fragrant purple [[Flower|flowers]] and valuable red stigmas in sunny, [[temperate climates]]. Saffron is primarily used as a culinary [[spice]] and natural [[colourant]], with additional historical uses in [[traditional medicine]], [[dyeing]], [[Perfume|perfumery]], and [[Ritual|religious rituals]].

Saffron likely originated in or near [[Greece]], [[Iran]], or [[Mesopotamia]]. It has been cultivated and traded for over 3,500 years across [[Eurasia]], spreading through [[Asia]] via [[Cultural diplomacy|cultural exchange]] and [[conquest]]. [[History of saffron|Its recorded history]] is attested in a 7th-century BC [[Assyria]]n botanical treatise.

==Etymology==

{{Further|History of saffron}}

A degree of uncertainty surrounds the origin of the English word ''saffron''. It might stem from the 12th-century [[Old French]] term ''safran'', which comes from the Latin word {{Lang|la|safranum}}, from [[Persian language|Persian]] ({{lang|Fa|زعفران}}, ''za'farān''), ultimately from the Persian word ''zarparān'' ({{nq|زَرپَران}}) 'gold strung' (implying either the golden stamens of the flower or the golden colour it creates when used as flavour).

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==Species==

{{Main|Crocus sativus}}

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===Description===

[[File:860808-Saffronfarm-01-IMG 7707-2.jpg|alt=Saffron Flowers|thumb|Crocus flowers which yield red saffron stigmas]]

[[File:Saffron onions-IMG 7549-2.jpg|alt=Saffron onions|thumb|Corms]]

Saffron from [[Iran]], [[Spain]], and [[Kashmir]] is classified into various grades according to the proportion of stigma to style it contains. Grades of Iranian saffron are: ''sargol'' ({{langx|fa|سرگل}}, red stigma tips only, strongest grade), ''pushal'' or ''pushali'' (red stigmas plus some yellow style, lower strength), "bunch" saffron (red stigmas plus large amount of yellow style, presented in a tiny bundle like a miniature wheatsheaf) and ''konge'' (yellow style only, claimed to have aroma but with very little, if any, colouring potential). Grades of Spanish saffron are ''coupé'' (the strongest grade, like Iranian sargol), ''mancha'' (like Iranian pushal), and in order of further decreasing strength ''rio'', ''standard'' and ''sierra'' saffron. The word ''mancha'' in the Spanish classification can have two meanings: a general grade of saffron or a very high quality Spanish-grown saffron from a specific geographical origin. Real Spanish-grown La Mancha saffron has [[Geographical indications and traditional specialities in the European Union#Protected designation of origin (PDO)|PDO]] protected status, which is displayed on the product packaging. Spanish growers fought hard for Protected Status because they felt that imports of Iranian saffron re-packaged in Spain and sold as "Spanish Mancha saffron" were undermining the genuine La Mancha brand. {{Citation needed|date=August 2023}} Similar was the case in Kashmir where imported Iranian saffron is mixed with local saffron and sold as "Kashmir brand" at a higher price. In Kashmir, saffron is mostly classified into two main categories called ''mongra'' (stigma alone) and ''lachha'' (stigmas attached with parts of the style). Countries producing less saffron do not have specialised words for different grades and may only produce one grade. Artisan producers in Europe and New Zealand have offset their higher labour charges for saffron harvesting by targeting quality, only offering extremely high-grade saffron.

Consumers may regard certain cultivars as "premium" quality. The "Aquila" saffron, or ''zafferano dell'Aquila'', is defined by high safranal and crocin content, distinctive thread shape, unusually pungent aroma, and intense colour; it is grown exclusively on eight hectares in the Navelli Valley of Italy's [[Abruzzo]] region, near [[L'Aquila]]. It was first introduced to Italy by a Dominican friar from inquisition-era Spain.{{when|date=October 2016}} But the biggest saffron cultivation in Italy is in [[San Gavino Monreale]], Sardinia, where it is grown on 40 hectares, representing 60% of Italian production; it too has unusually high crocin, picrocrocin, and safranal content.