Which One’s Better: Spanish or Iranian Saffron?

The numerous benefits of saffron for health and even its therapeutic effect have turned it into a medicinal plant. On the other hand, it is also known as a popular type of spice because of its attractive taste, aroma, colour and its use in the food and cooking industries.

The main countries producing this product are Iran, Spain, India, Greece, Afghanistan, and China. However, almost 95 percent of the world’s saffron is cultivated in Iran, and growing this plant in Iran has a 4,000-year history. But why do so many people think this saffron is produced in Spain?

First, saffron production in Spain is about 1 tonne a year, while the country’s export is about 100 tonnes a year. Traders in the country mainly import Iranian saffron and repackage it in the name of Spanish saffron. Even in some cases imported Iranian saffron is blended with low quality Spanish saffron and exported. It is interesting to know that Spanish traders sell Iranian saffron two to four times more expensive.

Another point is that the best climate for cultivating saffron in the subtropical regions is in hot and dry summers. This climate can be found in some parts of Iran such as Khorasan province in its north-east near the Afghanistan border. Due to ecological conditions and suitable climate in Iran for saffron cultivation, this herb is produced with higher quality.

For example, according to reports, the quality of saffron in Iran is about 300 units, while in other parts of the world saffron quality reaches to about 200 units.

Of course, saffron in Iran and the world is categorised into several classes:

• Superfine Saffron: The highest quality Iranian saffron
• Fine Saffron: High quality saffron consisting of 3 strands of stigmas attached to each other
• Sargol saffron: The most common saffron consumed in Iran with high quality and reasonable price
• Pushal Saffron: The lowest price and of course good quality saffron mostly used in food industry

If you are interested in the properties of this herb, you can use it in preparing a variety of drinks and food. By drinking saffron tea, you can enjoy the attractive properties of saffron tea. Also, using saffron supplements that are produced and marketed in various forms is an easy way to use and benefit from saffron.