Saffron is one of the most valuable spices in the world, because of its unique aroma, color and propertiesred goldIt has a reputation. One of the most popular saffron products.Saffron powder or ground saffronIt is widely used in cooking and various industries due to its easy use, fast coloring and reasonable price. In this article, we will introduce you to the types of saffron powder, its uses, advantages and disadvantages, how to distinguish the original from the fake, and the important points of purchase.
What is saffron powder or ground saffron?
Saffron powder is the result of grinding dry saffron strands and is calledground saffron, Powdered saffron,ground saffronAnd in some marketsround saffronis known Its main advantage is fast coloring and a lot of aroma without the need for long brewing. The best kind of powder, fromSargol is obtained
Ingredients of saffron powder
The effectiveness of saffron powder is tied to three active compounds:Crocin(responsible for golden color),Safranal(origin of perfume), andPicrocrocin(source of pleasant bitter taste). Besides these, polyphenols and flavonoids with antioxidant role, a small amount of minerals and natural sugars are also present. The ratio of these molecules determines the quality.
Types of saffron powder
Gem saffron powder
Nagin powder is prepared from whole and large stigmas of saffron, which form the upper part of the string, and there is no trace of stem or cream in it. This type of powder is one of the best types of saffron powder and has a very high coloring and aroma. For this reason, it is used in professional confectioneries, restaurants and luxury uses. Gem powder should be uniformly red and have the natural aroma and mild bitter taste of saffron. A label thatGem powder 100% stigmaor has a COA, it is a sign of high quality of the product.
Sergol powder
Sargol powder is produced from red stigmas, which are usually whole parts without stems. Sargol is of high quality and has an acceptable aroma and color. This powder is suitable for home and professional use and has a better price than Negin saffron powder. High-quality sergol powder should have a uniform red color and the natural aroma of saffron should be noticeable in it.
Pushal powder
Pushal powder is prepared from threads with part of the cream or stem still attached to the stigma. For this reason, its quality is average and it has less coloring and fragrance than Sargol or Negin. This type of powder is suitable for daily household use and where volume and price are more important than coloring. Pushal powder often has an orange or yellow undertone in some places, and its aroma is weaker than Sargol.
Stem or root powder
Stem or root powder is produced from the lower parts of the saffron string, i.e. stem and yellow or white cream. The quality of this type of saffron powder is lower and it does not have significant coloring and fragrance. It is often used for cheap products or spice mixes and is not preferred by professional consumers due to its less aroma and color. The stem or root powder is usually lighter in color and has a faint or nearly odorless odor.
Mixed saffron powder
The saffron round is usually a combination of different parts of the saffron thread and its quality varies depending on the ratio of the head, stem and stem, and it is not recommended for home use where high quality is important.
Compressed powder or pellet
Pressed saffron powder is usually compressed with carriers such as starch to form tablets or a defined dosage for industrial use. The quality of the original powder may be good, but the presence of a carrier or shape-retaining additive may affect the color and aroma. This type of powder is mostly used in the food or pharmaceutical industries and is usually not recommended for home use.
Artificial saffron powder
Synthetic or industrial saffron powder usually contains artificial food colors or essential oils and does not have enough saffron stigma. This type of powder lacks the natural properties of saffron and is sometimes produced to reduce costs or for non-edible purposes. The use of artificial saffron powder is not recommended in any way and may endanger the health of the consumer.
Application, advantages and disadvantages of saffron powderApplications of saffron powder:Saffron powder is used in cooking to prepare saffron rice, sweets and desserts. It is also used in the pharmaceutical industry as an antioxidant and in the cosmetic industry to produce natural products. Restaurants also use this product more because of its reasonable price.Advantages of ground saffron:The most important advantages of saffron powder are the fast and strong coloring, easy use without the need to brew, economical consumption, more economical price than saffron string and easy storage. These features have made buying saffron powder a smart choice.Disadvantages of saffron powder:Due to its powdery appearance, it is possible to cheat it. Also, ground saffron loses its quality, aroma, and taste sooner than the ground saffron. Its maintenance should be done in proper conditions. For this reason, it is recommended to buy only from reputable brands such as Mostafavi saffron.
Identifying original and fake saffron powder and ground saffron
Saffron powder or ground saffron has a sharp and pleasant smell of saffron, a mild bitter taste and a uniform dark red color. A drop of it in warm water first gives a clear golden aura, not a sudden burst of color. An unrealistically low price, packaging without a health permit, and the absence of a tracking code indicate that the product is fake. A quality and original sample should be free of sugar, starch and artificial colors.
The difference between saffron powder and saffron color
Ground saffron is a natural product of the stigma of saffron flower and its effective compounds (crocin, safranal and picrocrocin) create color and fragrance. But the color of saffron is often a mixture of edible and chemical dyes and essences; It does not have an authentic flavor and does not reproduce the nutritional value and quality of saffron, and its use is not recommended.
Is it better to buy saffron powder or saffron itself?
If the originality of saffron and its long shelf life are important to you, saffron string is a better choice. But for faster and more uniform coloring as well as controlling the dosage,Buy saffron powderIt is better, especially in restaurants and industrial production, which is usually intendedBulk purchase of saffron have As a result, by choosing a reliable brand and buying pure saffron sergol powder, you will experience a great taste and aroma.
Guide to buying saffron powder and ground saffronChoosing the best type of saffron:100% Sargol powder has superior color and fragrance. Pushal or stem powder is cheaper but less colored. For the best quality, it is better to buy pure Sargol or Negin ground saffron.
IfStandard grading (ISO 3632)Pay attention to the index numbers on the mentioned packaging. Color strength (crocin), aroma (safranal) and taste (picrocrocin). Bigger numbers give you higher quality.Quality certificates:Food and Drug Organization license, health code, national standard mark,COAOr check the test result of each batch (part) and production and expiration date.Packaging:Metallized multilayer envelopes or sealed metal cans are better than plain plastic. ExistenceziplockAnd the food dehumidifier is also a bonus. Transparent containers are better if they are placed in a box so that they are away from light.Granulation (mesh):For uniform distribution, a mesh spacing of 60 to 80 is common. Very large particles do not create a uniform color and very small particles increase the risk of oxidation.Purity and additives:To achieve the highest quality, carrier compounds should not be present in the product. The list of ingredients should be 100% saffron powder. Any hint of sugar, starch or flavoring means lack of purity.Authenticity Tracking:Hologram, serial number and barcodeGS1It makes it possible to inquire about the authenticity of the product.Flavor:A penetrating, sweet and warm aroma without chemical pungency and uniform dark red powder color is a sign of the product's authenticity, and in contrast to many bright particles, it is a sign of the high share of stem and bush.
Important points of buying saffron powder and ground saffronCold and hot water test:Pour a small amount of powder in cold water; If you immediately see an explosion of color, the purchased product is suspected to be an artificial color. In hot water, the release of color and fragrance should also be gradual.Humidity:The standard package prevents sticking to the walls of the container, so the sticking of saffron powder to the walls of the container indicates the presence of non-saffron compounds or poor packaging.Mill date:The production date of the powder must be close; A long distance from the mill leads to a drop in aroma.Package size:For home use, buy smaller packages to use up before the scent fades. For more uses, a large package divided into small opaque containers is recommended.Health certificates and badges:It is important to check the certificates and standard marks on the website of the store from which you intend to buy the product to confirm the authenticity and first-class quality of the product.
The best way to store saffron powder and ground saffronLight, temperature and humidity:Closed opaque container, temperature 5 to 20 degrees, relative humidity below 50%.Suitable container:metal can or dark glass inside a matte box; AddOral silica gelis also useful.Division:Divide the large package into several small containers so that less oxygen enters the container each time.Storage in the refrigerator:In case of freezing or storing saffron powder in the refrigerator, useHermetic packagingIt is very important. Also, before opening the package, the temperature of the package should reach the ambient temperatureCondensatedo not occurUsage time:Use saffron powder in the first 3 to 6 months; Saffron strings are also of better quality up to 12 months.
The best method of grinding saffron to maintain quality
withstone mortarKnock gently or on the doorPulse millGrind for a short time so that it is not heated (excessive heat destroys the aroma of saffron).
If desired, add a sugar cube or sugar to prevent the saffron from sticking, then sieve.
Grind only enough saffron for a few weeks.
Buy the best type of saffron powder and ground saffron
To buy saffron powder or first grade ground saffron with the highest quality and get the aroma and taste of authentic Iranian saffron.Buy saffron powderFrom reputable brands such asSaffron MostafaviIt can ease your mind about the authenticity of the product. Mostafavi's saffron brand focuses on providing high-quality stigmas, standard and controlled grinding with uniform granulation, standard and hygienic packaging, clear announcement of information on the label (production date, manufacturing series, licenses) and the possibility of preparing in different household and wholesale weights, offering a quality product so that customers can use the products of this brand with confidence.
Frequently asked questionsShould saffron powder be brewed?No, it is not required; You can use directly in food. But for better coloring, extraction with hot water or ice is recommended.What is the standard consumption ratio?For rice, usually ¼ to ½ teaspoon of powder per 4 people is sufficient (depending on taste).Why do some powders color very quickly?The release of color in the original saffron powder should be gradual. Rapid color burst is a sign of artificial color.Why does saffron powder lose its aroma sooner?The contact surface of saffron powder with air is high, so it loses its aroma sooner. Closed matte packaging and low temperature increase the shelf life of the perfume.What is the best method for saffron rice?Extracting with hot or ice water and adding in the final stages of cooking improves color and aroma.How long should we consume saffron after opening the package?The best quality for saffron powder or ground saffron is in the first 3 to 6 months. Avoid frequent contact of saffron with air.How to be sure of the authenticity of saffron powder?Buy from reputable brands such asMostafavi, checking licenses, holograms, tracking code and quality test results.
