id: 63

name: Saffron

flavor_bible_name_variants: old raj saffron,sabayon,sabayon sauce,saffron

flavor_bible_pairings_ids: anise,artichokes,asparagus,basil,beef,bouillabaisse,breads,cardamom,carrots,cheese,chicken,cinnamon,citrus,cloves,coriander,corn,couscous,cream and ice cream,cumin,curries,custards,eggplant,eggs,fennel,fish,fruit,game birds,garlic,ginger,halibut,ice cream,lamb,leeks,mayonnaise,meats,mushrooms,mussels,nutmeg,onions,orange,paella,paprika,pepper,potatoes,rabbit,ras el hanout,rice,risotto,sauces,scallops,shellfish,shrimp,soups,spinach,squash winter,stews,tomatoes,turbot,vanilla,veal,vegetables,yogurt

status: draft

source: foodb,flavor_bible

food_db_name: Saffron

flavor_db_name_variants: saffron

name_scientific: Crocus sativus

description: Saffron is a spice derived from the flower of Crocus sativus, commonly known as the saffron crocus. Crocus is a genus in the family Iridaceae. Saffron crocus grows to 20-30 cm (8-12 in) and bears up to four flowers, each with three vivid crimson stigmas, which are the distal end of a carpel. Together with the styles, or stalks that connect the stigmas to their host plant, the dried stigmas are used mainly in various cuisines as a seasoning and colouring agent. Saffron, long among the world's most costly spices by weight, is native to Greece or Southwest Asia and was first cultivated in Greece. As a genetically monomorphic clone, it was slowly propagated throughout much of Eurasia and was later brought to parts of North Africa, North America, and Oceania. Saffron's taste and iodoform or hay-like fragrance result from the chemicals picrocrocin and safranal. It also contains a carotenoid pigment, crocin, which imparts a rich golden-yellow hue to dishes and textiles. Its recorded history is attested in a 7th-century BC Assyrian botanical treatise compiled under Ashurbanipal, and it has been traded and used for over four millennia. Iran now accounts for approximately 90% of the world production of saffron.

itis_id: 501794

wikipedia_id: Saffron

picture_file_name: 63.jpg

picture_content_type: image/jpeg

picture_file_size: 108338

picture_updated_at: 2012-04-20T09:42:34.000Z

legacy_id: 67

food_group: Herbs and Spices

food_subgroup: Spices

food_type: Type 1

created_at: 2011-02-09T00:37:18.000Z

updated_at: 2019-05-14T18:04:15.000Z

creator_id: null

updater_id: null

export_to_afcdb: false

category: specific

ncbi_taxonomy_id: 82528

export_to_foodb: true

public_id: FOOD00063