Iranian saffron has been popular among nations since Ancient Persia. The nature of Iranian saffron is warm and dry. People mostly use it in various forms such as saffron powder, threads, and other shapes to prepare beverages and dishes, including soups, Paella, and saffron milk. It’s also good to mention that this plant usually grows in autumn and is available in sizes of 25 to 30 mm, which gives a special effect to agricultural lands and plains in autumn.
Generally speaking, it is a perennial plant that has bulbs. This bulb has a brown pod. This plant grows in southwestern Asia, southern Spain and southern Europe. Its stem has six purple petals and three strands of red stigmas. The part used by the saffron plant is its red stigma. Iranian Saffron stigma contains fat, minerals and carbs.
Propagation of saffron happens exclusively by deploying the underground corm of the plant. The saffron land has a pleasant sweet smell due to the presence of colorless essential oil, called safranal. The aroma is available in the saffron threads as well. Despite the sweet smell, saffron has a bitter taste because of the hydroxide of picrocrocin. The beautiful yellow and red color is related to the presence of a substance, called crocin.
Iranian saffron is a valuable spice that farmers derive from the tiny styles and stigmas of the saffron plant. In fact, every 100 to 200 thousand plants of saffron produces about 5 kg of flowers, which finally decreases to 1 kg after the drying process.
Saffron Benefits
As you might know, saffron is a spice and coloring agent. Iranian saffron has a wide range of health benefits. It reduces cholesterol and acts as a sedative. It is also antispasmodic which prevents heart disease. Being full of antioxidants, it is a great cancer fighter. Saffron strengthens memory and lowers blood pressure.
Some use this plant in the treatment of asthma, skin diseases, eye diseases, urinary tract infections, jaundice, premature menstruation, bloating, stomach pain and anemia.
Saffron has been effective in controlling premenstrual symptoms. It lowers abdominal pain in women and reduces cramps. Its chemical compounds are effective for moderate-to-severe abdominal pain and upper abdomen.
The Nutritional Value of Iranian Saffron
Iranian saffron is a huge source of antioxidants, potassium, and protein. In 100 g of saffron, you can have 1,724 mg of potassium and 11 g of protein. Carbs and fat levels of saffron are quite low compared to other nutrition.