Our Saffron
The saffron in our boxes comes from our sister brand, Raihan Saffron. Here is where it comes from, what the lab found, and how to use it.
- Grade A saffron threads from Herat, Afghanistan.
- Tested by the Saffron Quality Control Lab, Herat Directorate of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (Report 004389).
- Meets ISO 3632-1:2010 Category I on all tested parameters.
- No artificial colorants detected.
Report 004389 covers our March 2026 lot. When the lot changes, we update this page.
Origin and grade
Our saffron is Grade A saffron threads from Herat, Afghanistan. Herat Province, in the west of the country, is Afghanistan's main saffron-growing region. We sell whole threads rather than powder, so you can see exactly what you are cooking with.
The lab and the report
Our March 2026 lot was tested by the Saffron Quality Control Lab, Herat Directorate of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (Report 004389). It meets ISO 3632-1:2010 Category I on all tested parameters, and no artificial colorants were detected.
The four tested values
| Measure | Our March 2026 lot | Category I limit |
|---|---|---|
| Coloring strength (crocin, 440 nm) | 296.5 | 200 minimum |
| Flavor strength (picrocrocin, 257 nm) | 114.2 | 70 minimum |
| Aroma strength (safranal, 330 nm) | 32.7 | 20 to 50 |
| Moisture | 8.5% | 10% maximum |
What each measure means
- Coloring strength. Crocin is the pigment that turns rice, broth and dough golden. The lab reads how strongly a saffron solution absorbs light at 440 nanometers. Higher means more color from each thread.
- Flavor strength. Picrocrocin gives saffron its bittersweet, honeyed taste. It is read at 257 nanometers, and higher means more flavor.
- Aroma strength. Safranal carries saffron's scent. It is read at 330 nanometers, and the standard sets a range of 20 to 50 rather than a minimum. Our lot reads 32.7, inside that range.
- Moisture. How much water is left in the threads. Less water means you pay for saffron rather than water weight, and the threads keep better. Our lot measured 8.5%, under the 10% maximum.
How to use saffron
- Crumble. Take a pinch of threads and crumble them between your fingers, or grind them with a pinch of sugar in a mortar.
- Bloom. Steep the saffron in 2 to 3 tablespoons of warm water, milk or broth for 10 to 20 minutes, until the liquid turns deep golden.
- Add. Stir the liquid and the threads into your dish: rice, stews, custards, tea or dough.
A pinch goes a long way, so start small. Store saffron in a sealed container in a cool, dark, dry place, away from light and heat. For a full recipe, try our saffron buns (lussekatter).
Boxes with our saffron
| Box | Saffron inside | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Raihan Saffron Gift Vial, 1 g | 1 g | $20 |
| The Saffron Baker's Gift Box | 2 g, with saffron bun, shortbread and rice recipe cards | $98 |
| The Iftar Hospitality Ramadan Box | 1 g, with an Afghan saffron tea card | $138 |
| The Festival of Lights Diwali Gift Box | 1 g | $148 |
| The Noël Noir Christmas Gift Box | 1 g, with a saffron bun card | $148 |
| The Rose and Saffron Valentine's Box | 1 g, with a saffron rose latte card | $148 |
| The Golden Goat Lunar New Year Trunk | 1 g | $188 |
| The Harvest Table Hostess Trunk | 1 g, with a saffron rice card | $215 |
| The Newlyweds Gift Trunk | 1 g, with a first-dinner saffron rice card | $215 |
| The Golden Diya Diwali Trunk | 2 g | $245 |
| The Crescent Ramadan Trunk | 2 g | $245 |
| The Boardroom Client Gift Trunk | 2 g | $265 |
| The Fireside Christmas Trunk | 1 g, with a recipe card | $265 |
| The Heart of Gold Valentine's Trunk | 1 g | $265 |
See them all in Saffron Gifts.
From our sister brand
Raihan Saffron sells premium Afghan saffron, hand-packed in Lynn, Massachusetts, the same town where we pack our boxes. For saffron on its own, visit raihansaffron.com.