TEHRAN, Aug. 30 (MNA) – Iran is the home to most of world saffron and it is recognized for the best quality of saffron in the world.

Northeastern provinces of Iran are known for being saffron producers in Iran while the most expensive spice of the world is planted in four corners of the country, wherever the climate agrees with its requirements.


Hamedan, an Iranian midwestern province, owns climate proper to plant saffron. Saffron harvest is pretty new in Hamedan; saffron requires little water and saffron plant blossoms several times a year.


There are 48,000 hectares of saffron farms in Hamedan which are capable of producing more than 160 Kg saffron per year.


Iran’s Razavi Khorasan and South Khorasan provinces with 78 and 18 percent are among top saffron producers followed by Kerman, North Khorasan, Fars, Isfahan and Hamedan.


In historical text archives, Ecbatana – old name for Hamedan – was an origin for producing saffron in Iran. It is mentioned in historical text that Rudavar village near Tuyserkan in Hamedan province, was one important center for saffron trade. All these documents show Hamedan's significance in producing this valuable herbal spice.


Saffron is the most expensive spice in the world. The product is used for both treatment and nutrition. Derived from the dried stigmas of the purple saffron crocus, it takes anything from 70,000 to 250,000 flowers to make one pound of saffron. Moreover, the flowers have to be individually hand-picked in the autumn when fully open. Fortunately, only a little needs to be added to a dish to lend it color and aroma.


Now most of world saffron is imported from Iran which has highest quality of saffron in the world. Iran now accounts for approximately 90% of the world production of saffron followed by Spain, Egypt, Kashmir, Morocco and Turkey.


By Mehr News Agency





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