Why is saffron more expensive than gold?

With a gram, 0.035 of an ounce, of the sought-after spice selling for up to £75, saffron is more expensive than gold because harvesting it is so laborious. Each crocus flower yields just three stigmas which are picked by hand by an army of volunteers then dried to create the precious saffron strands.

Is saffron worth the money?

There are less expensive varieties available, but real saffron has a high base rate of expense that its price just can’t sink below. “its flavor and distinct aroma elevate its surrounding flavors into something ethereal.” When purchased in small quantities from reliable sources, saffron is definitely worth it.

Why is it that saffron is considered the expensive spice in the world?

Harvesting saffron requires a lot of physical labor to get the flowers from the field to final packaging. The harvesting process plus its distinct flavor, smell, and color make it the most expensive spice in the world.

How much does 1 gram of saffron cost?

Saffron, the most expensive spice, is usually sold by the gram – just a small cluster of slender red threads in a tiny glass bottle. At the Spice House in Chicago, owners Tom and Patty Erd sell a gram of superior grade saffron for $6.79, and an even finer version, known as coupé grade, for $8.29.

What is the cost of 1 kg saffron?

Kesar, Pack Size: 1 Kg Pack, Rs 120000 /kilogram M/S ARYA VARTA ENTERPRISES | ID: 18475114691.

Why is Spanish saffron so cheap?

Currently, more than 90% of the world’s Saffron production, comes from Iran. In Spain, saffron is produced on family farms, and priority is placed on using traditional means of production. … Additionally, Iran also has large farms and cheap labour, making the selling price of their saffron less expensive than the former.

Can you grow saffron?

Saffron has often been described as a spice that is worth more than its weight in gold. It’s so expensive that you may wonder “Can I grow saffron crocus bulbs and harvest my own saffron?”. The answer is yes; you can grow saffron in your home garden.

Which country has the best saffron in the world?

Iran
Iran is considered to be the largest producer of high-quality saffron in the world. The country is responsible for 95% of saffron produced in the world.

Is it profitable to grow saffron?

As a niche, “shoulder-season” crop that can be grown after the fall harvest, and with a high resale value—saffron fetches as much as $29,000 per kilogram (roughly $13,000 per pound)—it could be a boon for small farmers looking for another source of revenue.

Where is saffron from originally?

Iran
Believed native to the Mediterranean area, Asia Minor, and Iran, the saffron crocus has long been cultivated in Iran and Kashmir and is supposed to have been introduced into Cathay by the Mongol invasion.

How many saffron bulbs are there in 1 kg?

It takes between 15,000-16,000 flowers to produce 1 kilogram of saffron spice. In terms of labour, producing this amount takes 370–470 hours!

How much saffron can 1 acre produce?

In areas of the world where saffron is grown, such as Spain, Portugal, France, and India, an annual yield of 8–10 pounds of dried saffron per acre is obtained in an established planting.

Is it easy to sell saffron?

Saffron carries a high entry cost, but in subsequent years this crop with three marketable elements can provide a big profit margin. Saffron is the most valuable spice on Earth. It can sell for $10 to $20 per gram. (Gold was recently trading around $40 per gram.)

How can I make money selling saffron?

A pound of saffron sells for $1,500 or more, according to CNN, making it a tempting spice to grow for profit. Growing saffron to make money is fairly straightforward, although labor-intensive, as a pound of the golden-red threads requires the hand-harvesting and processing of 75,000 blossoms, says Vegetable Garden.

How many acres is 1 kg of saffron?

If the other farmers also try this crop, they could grow 20-25 kg of saffron per acre of land. With the current price of saffron being Rs 80,000 to Rs 1 lakh per kilogram, this could mean a huge profit to the farmers.

Where is saffron grown in India?

Jammu and Kashmir
Saffron is currently cultivated in Pampore, Srinagar, and Kishtwar in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. According to IHBT, there is a demand for 100 tonnes of saffron per year in India, yet only 6.46 tonnes are produced in 2,825 acres (approximately 1,143 hectares).

How many times a year can you harvest saffron?

Plant saffron bulbs in a sunny, well-drained location in fall; they will not bloom until the following fall but will then come back and bloom each season for 5-6 years. The maximum yield of spice will be in their second year.