Saffron
Crocus sativus · Spice
Top 10 pairings
The world's costliest spice by weight: crimson threads hand-picked from an autumn-flowering crocus, three to a flower. Steeped, they smell of sweet hay and honey and turn paella, risotto and Persian rice golden.
Picking a good onedrag
Deep red threads, honeyed hay on the airPale, dusty, smells of almost nothing
Still fragrantEveryday bestSteep it longer, not heavier. Grind it first with a few grains of salt or sugar for faster colour and scent.
Open it and smellClear with your nose in the jar
Threads, not powderShort, broken threads, crumbs
Colour in the pinchCrimson, a few yellow tails
Feel a threadDry, a few broken, dust below