Saffron: The World's Most Expensive Spice

 The use of saffron dates back 50,000 years and was said to be a part of the bed upon which the mighty Zeus slept.

Harvested from humble Crocus Sativus, it's a fairly ubiquitous plant that grows everywhere from Morocco to Australia, covers huge expanses in Iran and even gave its name to the tiny town of Saffron Walden, England.

However whilst the flower is most noticeable for its vibrant purple petals, it's the incredibly delicate material hiding within its goblet shape that is, by weight, the most expensive spice in the world. 

Taken from the three red 'Stigma' found inside this Iris flower Saffron is a long-fabled material, revered by multiple ancient civilisations and linked to the likes of Cleopatra and Hermes.

Dried Saffron

Each flower only produces 3 of the tiny little stigma, meaning that it takes approximately 75,000 flowers to produce just 1 pound of precious saffron.

THE SCENT OF SAFFRON

Saffron is dark, spicy note with a subtle sweetness that's often found in rich opulent fragrances.

It's a diverse ingredient, blending beautiful floral notes as well oud, resins and soft balsamic notes. 

Although it remains a popular note in Middle Eastern perfumery, Saffron has been slowly working it's way into the palette of Western fragrance too.