Spanish Saffron: Why Is It Called Red Gold And What Benefits Does It Have?

Saffron is a spice derived from the flower Crocus sativus, characterized by the red color of its stigmas and the yellow hues of the stamens. Each flower can produce up to four saffron stigmas, though usually, they produce only three, making it the world’s most expensive spice by weight.

The flower of saffron

Although the origins of this spice are unclear, it could be argued that it comes from the East since its cultivation was widely spread throughout Asia. It is also known that the Arabs used saffron as a medicine for its anesthetic and antispasmodic properties. It was they who introduced its cultivation to Spain in the 10th century. Bibliographic testimonials affirm that saffron was also an irreplaceable seasoning in the Hispano-Arabic cuisine of the time. Currently, the saffron produced in Spain is the most prestigious for its authentic quality standards.

Saffron produced in other countries, including Turkey, Greece, Iran or Morocco, is almost always adulterated with the addition of traces of other parts of the flower. Many naïve travelers returning from Istanbul, Athens and Marrakech, feel very satisfied after having acquired very cheap saffron in street markets, unaware that they have been scammed.Spanish saffron is grown in Castille-La Mancha, where it has enjoyed a deeply rooted tradition. This region also produces delicious Manchego cheese and a wide variety of great wines. From there, this spice is exported to almost every country in the world. Because this saffron has a guaranteed designation of origin since 2001, it is protected against fraud or adulteration and is credited as a high quality product with organoleptic qualities that make it stand out above the rest.The prized Spanish spice produced in this area is one of the most coveted given its delicate fragrance and intense flavor. More than 150,000 flowers are needed to produce just one kilogram of dried saffron, a task performed manually since there is no adequate machinery for harvesting, collecting and processing these ephemeral flowers. For these reasons, this product can command higher prices than gold: more than US$ 6,000 per kilogram.

Freshly picked saffron

If you want to purchase the best Spanish saffron, the major brands assigned to the Regulatory Council of the Denomination of Origin Saffron from La Mancha are Safroman, Cefrán, The Rosera, Karkon, Princesa de Minaya, Virgen de la Cruz and Vega Lezuza.

Just a small amount of this tasty and highly appreciated spice will enhance the flavor and quality of dishes like Spanish paella, Italian risotto, French bouillabaisse, Middle Eastern rice and even Jewish challah bread.

Benefits of Safron

The stigmas of the Crocus sativusv plant are widely used not only in the culinary field, but also in the world of natural medicines due to their multiple benefits. Here we give you a list of those therapeutic uses of saffron that have been proven in different scientific studies:

Antidepressant

According to a study published in both the Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry fields, this spice can help treat mild depression, with a daily dose of 15 mg twice a day. It is considered as effective as the drug Prozac.

Antioxidant

The antioxidant properties of saffron serve, in their usual use, to protect body tissues, as well as the brain, heart, liver, kidneys and lungs, against natural or artificial toxic compounds.

Help To Prevent Alzheimers

An active component of saffron (crocin) serves to improve the cognitive skills and memory of people with Alzheimer’s. The benefits are similar to those achieved by some drugs, but without side effects.

Relieves Menstrual Pain

Taking 30 mg saffron daily is recommended to help reduce the symptoms of PMS. In particular, improvements in mood, pain and breast tenderness were observed.

Takes Care Of The Skin

This type of saffron has been used to calm itching and irritation of the skin, and it is known to have properties that protect from the impact of the sun and maintain hydration. There are currently creams that contain saffron extract as a primary ingredient.

Reduces Appetite

This type of saffron can be used to helo you diet diet as it helps to decrease your appetite. For a weight control treatment you can consume saffron capsules or extract, at a rate of 175 mg daily.■

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Spanish Saffron: Why Is It Called Red Gold And What Benefits Does It Have?

Spanish Saffron: Why Is It Called Red Gold And What Benefits Does It Have?

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