The aroma of Gods

While the Corona virus kept us fully occupied, physically and mentally, early May, there was some good news for the Kashmir saffron or ‘kesar’ as we know. This aromatic spice known world over for its unique taste and rich colour got the much-awaited Geographical Indication (GI) tag. Finally!

Cultivated and harvested exclusively in the Karewas (high lands) of Jammu and Kashmir,  has the distinction of being the purely chemical-free, organic and safe consequently being the preferred choice of the consumers,” the Cell for IPR Promotion and Management (CIPAM), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry said in a tweet.

The Kashmiri saffron is the most expensive in the world. One pound (454 grams) of dried saffron requires 75,000 flowers - encompassing an area the size of a football field! The entire blooming period ends in less than a fortnight, meaning the longer you allow it to remain, the lower is the price you get. These saffron strands are so light that 150 flowers yield only a single gram of the precious spice.

That explains why its so expensive!