How to Spot Pure Kashmiri Saffron & Avoid Cheap Imitations

Kashmiri Saffron, also known globally as “The Red Gold” is probably the rarest and most sought-after spice. It is obtained from the stigma and style of the Crocus Sativus flower found mostly in the Jammu and Kashmir region of India.

Each flower only produces about three stigmas which makes it a labor-intensive process to harvest it. This also leads to a limited supply of Kashmiri saffron and hence the higher prices.

High demand and low supply of this saffron have led to many cheap and fake imitations in the market. This is why it is not wise to simply believe what the label says before buying this expensive product.

To make things easier, this blog lists some simple and effective tests that you can use to identify pure saffron. So, keep on reading till the end to make sure you get the best value for your money when buying Kashmiri Saffron.

• Characteristics of Pure Kashmiri Saffron
• Effective Methods to Identify Pure Saffron
• Water Test
• Rub with Your Fingers
• Paper Test
• Cold Milk Test
• Tips for Spotting Pure Kashmiri Saffron
  

Characteristics of Pure Kashmiri Saffron

Before we look at some useful tests to identify pure Kashmiri saffron, first let’s discuss some key characteristics that set it apart from its fake imitations.

• Pure Kashmiri Saffron has deep red threads with orange tips.
• The whole strand of the saffron can have different shades of these colors instead of appearing uniform.
• The threads come in a trumpet-like shape with bulbous ends. If the saffron has perfectly straight strands, it might be a fake since in authentic saffron one end tapers off towards the other.
• Genuine saffron has a brittle and a bit dry texture and its aroma can be described as a sweet combination of hay and honey.
• The pure saffron has a slightly bitter taste.

Effective Methods to Identify Pure Saffron

Following are some tests that you can use to further ensure the authenticity of the saffron that you buy

1. Water Test

This is an effective way to identify real Kashmiri saffron. To do this you only need a bowl of tepid water and some time. Add a few strands of the Kashmiri saffron to the water and wait for at least 15 minutes.

If the saffron is real, it will turn the water yellow or more precisely to a gold-yellow color. It is important to note that in this process, the threads of the saffron do not lose their red color. Only the water becomes yellowish.

If the water changes color almost instantly or the saffron strands lose their color, you might have a fake.

The strands of the fake saffron quickly dissolve in the water. In the case of real saffron, the strands stay intact.

2. Rub with Your Fingers

This is another effective test that you can perform on the spot and get instant results. After soaking the saffron strands in tepid water for some time just like you did in the previous test, take out a couple of the strands and place them on your palm.

Now you can hold the strands and rub them between two fingers back and forth a few times. If the saffron is authentic, the strands will not break apart easily.

On the other hand, the strands of fake saffron disintegrate into dust or liquid without much effort.

3. Paper Test

If you doubt the saffron you just bought might be adulterated with artificial colors, you can use the paper test to figure this out. Take a white piece of paper and place a few strands of the saffron in the middle.

Now fold the paper and gently rub the two sides a few times. You can also use two separate papers, placing saffron on one and then placing the other on the top, and then gently rub it.

Now look at the color that appears on the paper. If the color is yellow, your saffron is pure. Fake imitations leave behind orange or reddish stains on the paper.

4. Cold Milk Test

This is another simple test that works every single time. Take a few threads of saffron and place them in cold milk for about 20-25 minutes. If you see the milk turning into a pale-yellow color accompanied by a strong and distinct floral aroma, your saffron is authentic.

Fake saffron doesn’t significantly alter the color of the milk. Moreover, it also doesn’t give out a noticeable aroma.

Tips for Spotting Pure Kashmiri Saffron

Here are some additional things you can do to spot pure Kashmiri Saffron

• Make sure the saffron product label has ISO certification to ensure it has been tested for purity and quality.
• If the price of the saffron is so low that it feels too good to be true, it is probably a fake.
• Always buy saffron from a reputable source with a lot of positive customer reviews and high ratings.
• Make sure your saffron comes from areas like Kashmir, Iran and Spain.
• Always perform water, paper and cold milk tests to verify the authenticity of the saffron before using it in your recipes.
• Avoid buying ground saffron as much as possible as it can contain rice flour, starch, turmeric or other fillers.

Conclusion

Saffron can be very expensive especially when you buy a pure product from some reputable source. So, to make sure you don’t waste your time and money on mediocre products, you need to learn what separates pure Saffron from its fake imitations that are becoming commonplace in the market.

Knowing the main characteristics of the saffron mentioned above along with some effective tests, you can easily identify whether your Saffron truly hails from the region of Kashmir and is not adulterated in any way.

Make sure to conduct these simple and low-effort tests to spot real saffron that gives you the most authentic aroma, flavor and health benefits. We at Kashmers takes pride in its 100% pure and organic saffron harvested from the Pampore region of Kashmir. You can explore our website  to check out our top-quality saffron which undergoes chemical-free processing to give you a superior flavor, color, and health benefits all in one.