Question 1

How much should I use?

Accepted Answer

A pinch: 10–15 threads for four is enough for rice or soup. For bread, about 20 threads per 500 g of flour; for a cup of milk, 3–5 threads. In detail: How much should I use?

Question 2

How should I store it?

Accepted Answer

Cool, dry and dark, in the original closed metal tin, away from the hob. Do not put it in the fridge, as it gathers condensation. The best-before date is printed on the tin.

Question 3

Where do you ship and how fast?

Accepted Answer

We ship across the European Union by courier. Delivery time and shipping cost depend on the destination and are calculated at checkout. Free pickup is available in Budapest and Vienna. International orders outside the EU are available upon request, for B2B only.

Question 4

Is it a good gift?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Royal comes in a black and gold tin, Premium in a burgundy and gold tin, gift-boxed and ready to give.

Question 5

What is the difference between Premium and Royal?

Accepted Answer

Both are whole saffron threads from Herat, laboratory tested according to ISO 3632. Premium is a Negin and Super Negin selection in a burgundy and gold tin; its crocin target is 245–270+. Royal is our highest selection of Herat saffron: long, thick, deep-red Super Negin threads in a black and gold tin; its crocin target is 270–300+. Both are AMU selections, not official ISO grades.

Question 6

How is your saffron tested?

Accepted Answer

Every shipment is tested in a certified laboratory in Afghanistan and in the EU, according to ISO 3632: colour (crocin), flavour (picrocrocin) and aroma (safranal). Actual laboratory results may differ depending on where and how the sample is tested (Afghanistan or the EU). Details and a lab sheet: Quality & Laboratory

Question 7

Where does the saffron come from?

Accepted Answer

From the fields of Herat province, Afghanistan. The flowers are picked by hand at dawn, and the stigmas are sorted and dried the same day.

Question 8

Powder or threads?

Accepted Answer

Threads. In powder you cannot see what is inside; threads you crumble and steep yourself. We pack whole saffron threads only.

Question 9

How do I recognise real saffron?

Accepted Answer

A real thread is trumpet-shaped, deep red, slightly wider at the tip. In water it colours slowly to golden and does not fade at once.

Question 10

Why is saffron so expensive?

Accepted Answer

A gram takes roughly 150 flowers, and the three stigmas are picked from each by hand, as the flower opens.

Dark, dry and closed.

How to keep it fresh

What to watch

In the original tin

In a cool, dark cupboard

Not in the fridge

With dry hands

As whole threads

The date is on the tin

All about saffron