Why Iranian Saffron is the Best of All?

Not only Iran produces 95 percent of the whole saffron production, but also produces the best saffron in the world. Iranian saffron has a wide range of health benefits, with better chemical results, and many other advantages over saffron production from other countries. Iranian saffron is important for Iran’s economy as it is one of the major non-oil exports. We aim to introduce the land of saffron and explain the reasons to prove why Iranian saffron is the best of all.

Where is the land of saffron?

Iran supplies more than 90 percent of the total saffron production in the world. The Great Khorasan, Iran is known as the land of saffron, or Red Gold. Cities like Torbat-Heydarie, Taybad, Zaveh, Neyshabour, Gonabad, Qaenat, Birjand, and Mashhad as the lands of Red Gold, and other provinces such as Fars, Hamedan, and Kerman are the other producers of Iranian saffron, which has been exporting top-quality saffron to the world.

Near 90% of the top-quality saffron in the world is supplied from the Great Khorasan, Iran. You may ask why and how? Below you can see the main reasons why Iranian saffron is the best of all:

The ideal climate conditions

Saffron grows well in semi-arid regions, with dry and warm summers and mild winters. The Great Khorasan region in Iran qualifies for such climate conditions. That is why the top quality saffron is grown in these areas.

Ideal soil to grow saffron:

It is important to consider the soil condition before planting saffron corm as the corm will remain in the land for 5-7 years, therefore, the farm ideal condition and soil matter the most.

To grow saffron, the soil should be a combination of sand and a bit of lime, with Ph around 7-8. The saffron corm should be cultivated in a land free of weeds. Such soil condition is found in different regions of Iran, making them a great place to cultivate saffron corm and harvest a top-quality product.

The ideal saffron corm

Once we start cultivation of saffron corm, it is important to use good quality saffron corms, as they last for 7 years in that land. The saffron corms produce other corms, every year, called daughter corms. The ideal saffron corm weighs between 8 to 10 grams. It is important to sort the corms in a specific weight range, and use healthy and fungus-free saffron corms. agriculture engineers modify saffron corms which are suitable in terms of overall health and weight. The top-quality saffron corms can be found in Khorasan Province.

Knowledge and experience of Iranian farmers and producers

Iranian saffron farmers and producers have years of experience in farming saffron flower. Iran is the birthplace of saffron flower; therefore, Iranian saffron farmers has been cultivating saffron for hundreds of years before many countries even knew about this valuable spice. This indicates that the knowledge and experience of growing saffron has long been practiced by Iranian saffron farmers. Not only in saffron cultivation, but also in other stages of saffron processing, such as stripping, and drying, Iranian saffron farmers and producers have shown skillful performance.

As in the rest, we will take a quick look at the main differences between Iranian saffron and products of other top-saffron-producing countries. 

Iranian saffron vs. Spanish saffron

These two saffron differ in appearance and chemical properties as they are grown in different geographical regions. The chemical assessment of these two products shows that they differ in organoleptic properties of crocin, picrocrocin, safranal, humidity, and total ashes. 

Spanish saffron is bright red indicating the low levels of crocin, meaning they have less coloring power. 

Persian saffron is lengthy, dense, and flat, while Spanish saffron is curlier and shorter. Also, Iranian saffron classifies into 7 types, whereas, Spanish saffron is categorized into 4 types. 

Iranian saffron vs. Afghan saffron

Generally speaking, Afghan saffron is weaker than Iranian saffron in terms of appearance and chemical properties. Afghan saffron is shorter and thinner than Iranian saffron. In addition to that, Iranian saffron has more coloring power in comparison to Afghan product, showing that the crocin level is much lower than Iranian saffron. 

Iranian saffron vs. Indian saffron

Comparing Indian saffron with Iranian saffron is more challenging. Most Indian saffron is produced in the Kashmir region. Indian farmers cannot produce saffron in considerable amounts and equal quality. Their total produced saffron is little compared to Iranian products, as they do not have many lands under cultivation. In terms of quality, the Kashmir saffron is thinner and shorter than Iranian saffron as they do not have ideal soil and weather condition to produce high-quality saffron and top-quality corms. 

Why is saffron popular in Iran?

Iran produces more than 95 percent of the total saffron supply in the world. Hence, it is one of the most popular spices for use and cultivation. Below, we analyze why saffron is popular in Iran:

Geographical advantage: Iran enjoys the ideal climate and soil conditions, especially in the Khorasan province, to cultivate saffron. this province, specifically, has the ideal dry climate, well-drained soil, and good sunshine exposure to produce the best saffron quality.

Historical significance: Saffron spice is an inseparable part of Iranian culture and has been passed down through generations in terms of cuisine or production.

Use in Persian cuisine: In traditional Iranian dishes, saffron is used for its aroma, red-hue color, and unique flavor in desserts, beverages, stews, and rice. Therefore, saffron is considered an essential ingredient in most Iranian dishes.

Improving income of local people: Local people in most Iranian saffron regions have turned to cultivation or contributing to the process of saffron for its profitability (for farmers) and to improve income of local people.

Local women empowerment: Cultivating saffron in a local region empowers women in that area by involving them in different stages of saffron production and supply. Women are actively engaged in some cultivation, growth, harvest, and after-harvest procedures. This is a good chance for local women to have some seasonal income.

Export Industry: The ideal climate and soil condition to grow saffron has turned Iran into the number one saffron producer and exporter in the world. Therefore, apart from domestic consumption, Iran supplies and exports saffron to many countries around the world.

Medicinal and health benefits: Saffron is a spice with enormous health benefits. This spice consists of chemical components with potential health benefits from antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and mood-enhancing to preventing diabetes and even cancers.

How to find the best saffron?

The best saffron comes from the Iranian lands of the Red Gold. Most of the Iranian saffron production is exported to other saffron-producing countries, such as Afghanistan, India, Spain, etc. for re-packaging and re-exporting purposes, with the origin of the middle country. So, most of the Iranian products will reach end users, under different brands with non- Iranian- origin tags and packaging. SunLand is a top producer and exporter of Iranian saffron. We rely on years of expertise and knowledge to produce high-quality products in large amounts in our saffron lands. Therefore, SunLand Saffron supplies top-quality products and can be a trustworthy source to buy Iranian saffron. To buy Iranian saffron follow this link to place your order.