You know when you take a bite of a sweet little rasmalai, expecting that warm, floral richness to melt in your mouth? But instead…you get nothing. Just one bland boring bite with a few random red threads that taste like paper. That’s heartbreak right there. You only feel this way with fake saffron, and trust us — you’re not alone.
Saffron is easily one of the most expensive spices in the world, and that’s why you’ll see the market is flooded with absolute fakes. You’ll find dyed corn silk, artificially coloured safflower petals, even threads soaked in chemicals (These counterfeit vendors will sell you anything but actual saffron).
So how do you make sure you’re getting the real deal?
In the next few minutes, we’ll show you how to identify real saffron, what saffron should taste like (real saffron, of course), and where to buy saffron that’s 100% pure. You can be a foodie, a wellness lover, or just someone who refuses to settle for fake food. But this is your ultimate saffron cheat sheet. So let’s get to it, shall we?
What Makes Real Saffron So Special?
Saffron is more than a spice to most of us. We think of it as liquid gold in thread form. It is known to be the most expensive seasoning in the world for a strong reason. Real saffron comes from the delicate stigmas of the crocus sativus flower, carefully harvested by hand and dried to preserve the potency. What makes it worth the price, you ask?
🔸 Distinct Aroma & Flavour — Real saffron has a deep, honeyed aroma with earthy notes. When this saffron is steeped, it releases a subtle and luxurious flavour . It’s slightly sweet, slightly bitter, with a lingering floral richness. (Yes, it’s starting to sound like a pretentious wine-tasting session, but when you smell and taste the real thing, you’ll know exactly what we mean by all of this.) If your saffron smells musty or tastes like nothing, it is a fraud.
🔸 Vibrant Natural Color — Authentic Kashmiri saffron and Persian saffron release a golden-orange hue when steeped. Fake saffron often bleeds an artificial red because of added dyes.
🔸 Health & Wellness Benefits —It’s full of antioxidants, mood-boosting compounds, and anti-inflammatory properties. So real saffron has been cherished in Ayurveda and Persian medicine for centuries. Don’t bother with the fake versions, they do nothing.
With its intense labor process and rarity, genuine saffron is worth every penny — but only if you’re buying the best saffron. So, how exactly do you separate the real from the fake? We’ll show you.
How to Identify Real Saffron: The Foolproof Tests
Not all saffron is created equal, clearly. With fake saffron popping up everywhere, you have to know exactly how to spot the real one. Here are some foolproof ways to identify real saffron before you buy:
🔸 The Water Test — Drop a few saffron threads into warm water. Real saffron takes a few minutes to release its golden hue, while fake saffron instantly bleeds red due to added dyes. Bonus: The threads should remain intact, not dissolve.
🔸 The Smell Test — Authentic saffron has a distinct honey-ish aroma with earthy undertones. If it smells metallic, musty, or has no scent at all — red flag, it’s a fake.
🔸 The Taste Test — Real saffron tastes slightly bitter (not entirely sweet!). If your saffron has too much of a sugary aftertaste, it’s likely been mixed with fillers.
🔸 The Rub Test — Take a thread and rub it between your fingers. Real saffron will stain your skin yellow, not red. Fake saffron will either leave no stain or an unnatural red mark from artificial dyes.
🔸 The Burn Test — Hold a saffron thread to a flame. Real saffron chars but doesn’t burn quickly, while fake saffron catches fire immediately due to synthetic additives.
When shopping for the best saffron, these tests will save you from wasting money on cheap imitations. But where exactly can you find authentic, high-quality saffron? We’ll tell you. (Hint: It starts with an S and rhymes with amma, who will definitely be able to tell you our saffron is the best 😉)
Where to Buy Saffron: Finding the Best, Authentic Threads
Now that you know how to spot real saffron, the next question is—where do you actually buy saffron that’s 100% pure and unadulterated?
🔹 Go for Kashmiri Saffron
If you’re looking for the best saffron, Kashmiri Mongra Saffron is the gold standard. Grown in the pristine valleys of Pampore, India, this is prized for:
✔ Deep red threads (no yellow or white parts—only pure stigma)
✔ Rich aroma (strong, honey-like fragrance)
✔ High crocin content (this is the reason for its intense color and health benefits)
Unlike lower-grade varieties, Mongra saffron consists only of the most potent part of the flower, making it superior in flavor, color, and medicinal value.
🔹 Choose Reputable Sellers
Avoid street vendors or random online sellers—adulterated saffron is everywhere. Instead, buy from:
✔ Specialty spice stores with a strong reputation
✔ Certified online marketplaces that provide authenticity reports
✔ Brands that offer lab-tested purity guarantees
💡 We’ve done the work for you—you can get the finest Kashmir Mongra Saffron directly from Samāh. Sourced from Kashmiri farmers, ISO-certified, and 100% pure, our saffron is free from artificial colors, preservatives, and fillers—just handpicked, premium saffron threads at their peak potency.
🔹 Look at the Packaging
Premium saffron comes in glass jars or airtight containers to preserve freshness. If it’s in a flimsy plastic bag, that’s a red flag, again.
If you’re investing in saffron for its rich taste, aroma, and health benefits, it’s worth buying from a trusted source. Because real saffron is an experience. And you’re going to enjoy it so much, done right.
👉 Get your authentic Kashmiri Mongra Saffron here
Now, let’s talk about what makes saffron truly special, and the best ways to use it.
How to Use Saffron for Maximum Flavour & Benefits
To get the most out of real saffron, you need to use it the right way. Here’s how to unlock its full flavour, aroma, and health benefits:
The Right Way to Use Saffron
✅ Steeping Method (Traditional & Best) — Always soak saffron threads in warm water, milk, or broth for at least 10–15 minutes before adding it to your dish. This releases its deep aroma, golden colour, and flavour into your dish.
✅ Grinding for Intensity — Crush saffron threads into a fine powder before steeping for a stronger infusion . This is just perfect for tea, desserts, and rice dishes.
✅ Pairing It Right — Saffron truly shines in rich, creamy, or warm dishes like biryani, kheer, saffron-infused lattes, and slow-cooked stews.
✅ Less is More — With real saffron, all you need is a pinch. If you’re dumping in spoonfuls and still getting no flavor, hate to break it to you—but you’re probably using fake saffron.
So, as you can tell, when it comes to saffron, the authenticity is everything. It will 100% make or break your dish. Heck, for us, it ruins the day entirely to accidentally use fake saffron. This is one of the main reasons why we set out to produce our own. We simply had to have the best kesari ever.
Real saffron brings you an unmatched flavour, aroma, and even health benefits, while fake saffron leaves you with nothing but disappointment.
Whether you’re indulging in a rich saffron-infused kheer or brewing a comforting cup of zaffrani chai, choosing the best saffron will make sure you get the full experience.
✨ Don’t settle for less — experience the richness of real saffron today → Shop now at https://samah.in/products/kashmir-mongra-saffron
