Description

History of Organic Kashmiri Saffron

According to historical evidence, saffron was introduced in the country by Persian rulers around 500 BC. Once the Persian rulers conquered Kashmir, they planted the Persian Saffron crocus corms in the soil and that’s how it grew until now.

However, locals never agree to this legend and believe that it was the holy presence of two Sufi Saints, Khawja Masood wali (r.a) and Sheikh Sharif-ud-din wali (r.a), during the 11th and 12th centuries A.D, who fell sick and were cured by a local chieftain.

The two Saints as a thanksgiving presented the chieftain with a saffron crocus bulb. To this day, during the saffron season, prayers are offered at the golden-domed shrine of the two saints, which is dedicated to them for their favor. Check out the history of Saffron.

Cultivation of Pure & Organic Kashmiri Saffron

Pure and authentic Kashmiri Saffron is collected from the blossoms of Crocus sativus (Iridaceae), commonly known as saffron crocus or saffron bulbs. It is propagated by bulbs called corms which are planted on a virgin piece of land.

Each corn is planted from new bulbs, and this is how the plant multiplies. Through these bulbs, dark purple-colored flowers come in autumn which are saffron flowers.

By the middle of October, saffron flowers begin to blossom, and this blooming lasts for about three weeks.

There occurs a period of intensified blooming called the “blanket days” which last from two to six days where a saffron flower becomes a dark purple colored beautiful flower which has stigmas and threads later on processed to use as the pure and authentic Kashmiri Saffron strands.
Thousands of fully grown and bloomed saffron flowers are harvested very often in the morning hours and brought to the “stripping” area.
After the flowers are brought to the stripping area, the stigmas or threads are very carefully removed manually and painstakingly and kept aside till it is done on each saffron flower.

Collected stigmas and threads are further sun-dried to let go of the moisture in them for two to three days depending upon the temperature. Pure and organic Kashmiri Saffron is now ready to be sorted.

Why is pure and organic Kashmiri Saffron expensive?

The price of pure and organic Kashmiri Saffron is quite high because of its rarity and being a natural coloring and flavoring agent. As the Kashmiri Saffron flower is a small flower with only three strands in it, it takes approximately 75000 flowers which need to be plucked by hand to collect one pound of pure and organic Kashmiri Saffron.

It takes extreme labor and hard-work to yield saffron flowers on Karewa soil of Kashmir which is amongst the few producers in the whole world. The spice is also called red-gold because of its unique properties and exclusive uses.There is no wonder why pure and organic Kashmiri Saffron is so expensive.

How to Consume Kashmiri Saffron?

Pure and organic Kashmiri Saffron/Kesar can be used in culinary preparations. Add a pinch to your favorite recipes to give them a deep color and a fresh aroma.
Desserts like custards, pastry, or sweet-breads can be enriched with a pinch of pure and organic Kashmiri Saffron.
Add pure and organic Kashmiri Saffron to milk and drink before bedtime for a sound sleep.
A topical application of pure and organic Kashmiri saffron in milk can help with blemishes and scars.

Benefits of pure Kashmiri Saffron/Kashmiri Kesar
Pure and organic Kashmiri Saffron improves mood and cures depression.
Pure and organic Kashmiri Saffron reduces the symptoms of PMS.
Pure and organic Kashmiri Saffron promotes learning and memory retention.
A topical application of pure and organic Kashmiri Saffron may help reduce acne, dark spots, and blemishes.