The Versatility of Saffron: A Global Ingredient for Every Dish

The benefits of Saffron

Before we dazzle you with the Saffron’s versatility, let’s ground you on what Saffron can add to your dishes.

A rich golden color:

One of Saffron’s notable features is that it gives your dishes a brilliant golden hue. To maximize the impact, make sure to check out our blogs on how to grind and how to brew Saffron. Two quick steps that will help unleash the visual impact of your Saffron.

A sweet, earthy aroma:

For those unfamiliar with using Saffron, the smell is often described as “Saffron-y”; a testament to its unique aroma. The closest description of Saffron’s scent is a unique combination of floral, earthy tones with a hint of sweetness.

Elevating every dish with its unique flavor:

The right mix of Saffron will help elevate your dish by infusing it with its distinctive floral and earthly flavor. Like a bay leaf, Saffron will also elevate the ingredients in the dish by helping bring balance to the flavors. For example, while some Black Teas are incredibly bitter and strong, Eupherbia’s Saffron infused black tea allows you to enjoy the benefit of black tea but with a more balanced, mellow flavor as it contains 0.2g of Saffron in every 3g sachet! Be careful, though. When prepared correctly, even a few threads of Saffron can pack a punch. Integrate it slowly to avoid over-infusing, resulting in a slight bitterness.

Saffron inspiration from around the world

1. Saffron in Rice Dishes: From Spain to the Middle East

Saffron is best known for its use in rice preparations. This spice is used in Spain's most famous rice recipe: paella. Usually prepared with seafood, chicken, and vegetables, this aromatic rice gets its golden color and distinctive aroma from Saffron. In Italy, too, the luxurious risotto alla Milanese uses Saffron to create a risotto rich in gold color, with meats usually served alongside. French bouillabaisse, originally a seafood stew, uses Saffron to infuse the broth with deep, aromatic flavors.
In the Middle East and India, Saffron is also used as a seasoning for rice. In Persian dishes, chelow rice is usually served with kebabs, infused with Saffron for an elegant contrast to the savory meats. Biryani and pilaf, staples in Indian and Turkish cooking, use Saffron to add a rich fragrance to the rice.

2. Saffron in Bakery: Sweet Treats and Breads

Saffron is also the star of many types of bakeries. In Italy, it goes into a panettone- a rich, airy, and often saffron-flavored holiday bread. The sweet, fruity bread of Christmas gets elevated by the subtle floral nuances of Saffron. This bread is one of the most famous desserts during Christmas time. In Sweden, semla, a cardamom-spiced pastry, features a lot of Saffron, especially during winter.
Moving on to France, it has been used to make various sweet dishes, such as crème brûlée with Saffron added, giving an unusual sophistication to the typical French dessert. In Greece, the cookies koulourakia may be flavored with Saffron, lending a delicate sweetness that should fit for afternoon tea.

3. Saffron in Curries and Stews: Richness and Aromatics

Saffron adds depth and richness to various curries and stews the world over. In Spain, for example, Saffron is added, for the most part, to caldereta, a hearty meat stew, enhancing it with that exceptional earthy and floral taste. The French use it in bouillabaisse, a seafood stew from Provence, lending it an aromatic complexity. In Italy, Saffron is added to several stews and sauces, elevating them to heights, while in Greece, in kleftiko, slow-cooked lamb uses Saffron for an added layer.
It goes into rich curries and creamy sauces in India, such as korma. It permeates the dish with a sweet, heady fragrance that cuts through the richness of the dish. Likewise, in Morocco, Saffron forms an integral part of the tagines, which come together nicely with slow-cooked meats and vegetables.

4. Saffron in Cocktails: A Touch of Elegance

Lately, Saffron has found its increasing use in cocktails, where such dramatic coloring and a peculiar flavor could help make it stand out from many other ingredients. Saffron Gin Fizz combines the lovely fragrance of citrus fruits with the botanical flavors of gin, which was added in France. In Italy, Saffron was merged into the Saffron Martini, blending with the floral shades of gin or vodka. The bright yellow color of Saffron gives the drinks an exotic twist that is visually and flavorfully impressive.

5. Saffron in Meat Marinades

Saffron is commonly used to flavor and color meat. Adding Saffron to your chicken marinades helps elevate it from “just another chicken dish” to a splash of color. But did you know Saffron’s floral flavor helps mask the odor of fish? Adding brewed Saffron to your fish marinade can add a vibrant golden color to your fish and help mask the fishiness!

6. Saffron in Desserts: A Luxurious Finish

Saffron has long been used to make sumptuous desserts. One finds saffron flan in Spain, a creamy custard scented with spice in both color and delicate floral notes. In Italy, gelato alla zafferano is a decadent ice cream made with Saffron, a sweet aromatic treat. Saffron also shines in Middle Eastern desserts, such as baklava, combined with honey and nuts to create a fragrant, sweet finish. You can also stir Saffron into simple Vanilla yogurt to transform it from something “Vanilla” to something amazing.

Final Thoughts

Saffron’s versatility makes it a global ingredient, elevating dishes worldwide. Different countries’ cuisines use it to star in such famous dishes as paella in Spain, risotto alla Milanese in Italy, bouillabaisse in France, and Tahchin in Iran. Whether used in savory stews, decadent desserts, or refreshing cocktails, Saffron's rich, aromatic qualities make it a timeless ingredient. Its flavor and color value addition to any dish is why it remains a prized spice in kitchens worldwide. Eupherbia’s mission is to make Saffron an everyday spice in North America by providing high-quality Saffron at affordable prices and expanding its usage beyond just rice! Starting with our Saffron Black and Green Teas infused with 0.2 gr in every 3 gr sachet and 2 gr of Saffron in every 227 gr bag! Check out eupherbia.com for all our amazing products.