Today, we know Persian saffron as a versatile plant that has been used all over the world. However, it is better to be acquainted with the anatomy of this colorful plant and know it from zero to one hundred.
To know saffron and its properties, it is good to first examine its appearance. A cursory glance reveals that the red stigmas of the Persian saffron flower are the essential parts of the flower. They exist within the purple petals and are fresh. The aroma is vividly clear. If one touches them, the fragrance and the color will remain for several days.
What is Persian saffron and how does it grow?
Generally speaking, saffron is a plant that grows through saffron corm or saffron bulb. The corm has a brown straw that protects it. After planting the bulb, it grows and forms a stem at the end of which a bud is formed. After flowering, you will encounter a purple flower with 6 beautiful petals. Petals protect Three aromatic red stigmas. These three red stigmas are the legendary spice, known as saffron. According to the processing procedure that they go through, they will represent various types of saffron.
What Are the Components of Saffron?
Saffron has compounds that distinguish this valuable plant from other plants. Experts measure the quality of saffron through the amount of these compounds in laboratories. The saffron threads are classified in quality with the amount of their consisting compounds.
Crucial compounds of saffron include several amazing antioxidants:
What Does Affect the Quality?
Saffron corm has different types of quality. Each species of corms produces a specific type of flower with different thread quality. The climate of the region is a crucial factor for the health of corms.
Except for the species of corms and climate, harvest and drying methods also affect the quality of saffron. The fresh saffron threads have to be dried before packing. Producers can dry the threads by natural sun exposure or mechanical pressing. If the natural drying happens professionally, the final saffron has more aroma and crocin level.
There are several methods for cutting and preparing thread. Each way can produce different types of saffron. You can review all types of saffron products here.