Saffron and the price per kilo
Saffron is certainly the most expensive spice in the world, for the price you have to pay per kilo of saffron you could afford a car. What makes the spice so expensive?
Interesting facts about saffron
Saffron is something special, but that alone cannot explain the enormous price per kilo.
- The spice has been used as a pain reliever, diuretic and perspiration agent since ancient times. It should also help against seizures and strengthen the heart and stomach. It has also been used for liver disease, cough relief, and even curing whooping cough. Allegedly, it is said to be good for the brain, shrink kidney stones and work against depression.
- In higher doses it can lead to hallucinations, even higher doses can lead to fatal poisoning by the spice. This dose is assumed to be around 10 g.
- As a spice, saffron is valued for its unique aroma. You can make desserts and savory ones with saffron dishes Spice up. But you have to be careful with the dosage because it can also make a dish bitter.
- So that you don't make a mistake with the dosage, mix 1 g of saffron with 120 ml water. Let the mixture stand for 20 minutes. Then use the liquid for seasoning. You can also use high-proof alcohol instead of water, then the seasoning mixture has a longer shelf life.
The most expensive food in the world - top 7
The most expensive groceries in the world cannot be found in the store around the corner. Which …
That leads to the high price per kilo
- Saffron is also the name of the Crocus sativus plant, a species of crocus that blooms purple in autumn. There are 3 pistil threads in each flower of this plant. Only these threads are used for the spice.
- In order to harvest a kilo, the pistil threads of almost 200,000 flowers have to be harvested. For these quantities of plants you need a cultivation area of 1,000 m2, i.e. a field of approx. 30 m x 30 m side length.
- A picker can harvest a maximum of 80 g per day, on average you need 15 pickers to harvest one kilo in one day. You surely understand why the price is so high.
- Also keep in mind that saffron can only be harvested approximately 14 days in autumn, the rest of the year the cultivation area cannot be used.
Depending on the quality and country of origin, you pay between € 9 and € 20 for one gram. The price per kilo is therefore € 9,000 to € 20,000.
How helpful do you find this article?
