Heritage, Prestige, Trust and Quality, the four pillars
of saffron from VALGOSA company.
TNS market research, UAE, 2013
SAFINTER saffron
1. Which aspect of this product makes it so valuable, exceptional and
inspiring?
The most important that makes SAFINTER’s saffron exceptional it’s the highest quality and
guaranteed 100% purity at the most competitive price:
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SAFINTER’s saffron is an affordable luxury that'll pay for itself.
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The beauty of SAFINTER’s’ saffron is that very little is needed. Consumer is paying for the
highest quality saffron and 100% pure, so experiment with less (just a small pinch) for
outstanding results (potency).
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With lower quality and not guaranteed 100% pure saffron, consumer will never get the
potency of SAFINTER’s saffron, and he is in risk to danger his health.
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SAFINTER’s saffron is produced, graded and packed by a Spanish family company
exclusively devoted to saffron, for more than 100 years , with own fields in Albacete, the
center area of Spain where the best saffron comes from. Our deep product knowledge and
focused international expertise, mixed with the enthusiasm of a four generations family is
definitely something unique in the saffron industry.
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SAFINTER’s saffron, guaranteed 100% purity:
SAFINTER’s saffron is 100% pure because it is only made with the 3 stigmas of the saffron flower,
no other parts of the flower added nor outside ingredients, nor natural / artificial dyes added.
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Saffron is a spice obtained from the stigmas (female part) of a flower, the crocus sativus
flower, commonly known as the saffron rose.
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Each flower has 3 stigmas of saffron, also called threads or filaments.
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Only 3 stigmas of the flower have the saffron properties and are considered real saffron.
Other parts of the flower do not have saffron properties.
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150 saffron flowers are needed to obtain 1 gr of saffron.
(Note: to certify 100% purity SAFINTER’s saffron is lab tested in an independent and accredited
laboratory in Spain and we enclose purity analysis in every shipment to the trade)
How can consumer distinguish 100% pure saffron from fake saffron (not 100% pure saffron)?:
It’s high value has made saffron the object of frequent adulteration. There are many techniques
for saffron fraud, being the most frequent one to dye other parts of the saffron flower (for example,
styles) and mix them with the real saffron (stigmas).
You may click in the following link to watch the difference between real and fake saffron (1,47
min video): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRJsYtUAY8A
Styles are yellow color and have no saffron properties. Considered fake saffron, they are discarded
in SAFINTER’s saffron harvesting. They are dyed into red color using an infusion of the real saffron
stigma, and then mixed with the real saffron. Once you leave “fake saffron” in water for 10 min,
the dye comes out and the yellow color styles appear. Real saffron stigmas remain red.
SAFINTER’s saffron, the highest quality saffron:
Certified saffron helps protect consumers, as consuming fake saffron may be dangerous for the
health.
The quality of saffron is certified in the international market following the ISO 3632:2011 norm.
According to this ISO norm, SAFINTER’s saffron is Category 1, with the following specifications
for saffron main components (Crocin, Picrocrocin and Safranal):
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Colour strength expressed as Crocin should be min. 200.
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Taste strength expressed as Picrocrocin should be min. 70.
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Aroma strength expressed as Safranal should be 20-50.
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(Note:
to
certify
ISO3632:2011 specifications, SAFINTER’s saffron is lab tested in an independent and accredited
laboratory in Spain and we enclose quality analysis in every shipment to the trade).
SAFINTER’s saffron guarantees Category 1 ISO3632:2011 all year long, thanks to the ideal
growing and storing environments till product is shipped to our customers.
The absolute consistency of SAFINTER’s saffron is something appreciated by our customers
worldwide. No matter where or when you buy SAFINTER’s saffron, consumer always gets same
highest quality and 100% purity.
Everything our company does is based on the highest levels of Safety, Efficiency, Innovation,
Sustainability and Traceability.
2. Culinary, medicinal and lifestyle uses
Saffron is the most valued of all spices, known as “The King of Spices” and “The red Gold”
Its flavor is difficult to describe but profoundly delicious. It provides a distinctive taste, as well as
a wonderful aroma and colour to any dish. In fact, it can be used for savoury and sweet recipes
alike. It plays well with an impressive range of ingredients, and even when it doesn't dominate a
dish, its flavor and distinct aroma elevate its surrounding flavors into something ethereal.
It has multiple uses worldwide from medicinal use (diuretic, astringent, stimulant, etc …), to
cosmetic, dyes and special occasion’s gift.
The most outstanding culinary uses depend on the community:
Asian communities:
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They dissolved saffron in milk and often use as coloring for dairy products and to enhance
flavor.
Hindus prepare spice mixes such as Garam Masala, ice cream such as Kulfi using
pistachio, cardamom and saffron, and in general, for chicken dishes such as Biriani gosh,
and it is highly appreciated in the rice dish called Pulao, based on spices and saffron.
Hindus women believe that drinking hot milk with saffron every day when they are
pregnant, the new born will come out with the right skin colour.
Arab communities:
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A starter called Shollehzard is made in the Middle East, from rice pudding made with
saffron. It is often used with rice; in Afghanistan, a well-known dish is Qabali, and in Iran
Adas Polow.
In Iran deserts are also made with olive oil and saffron and even coffee is added.
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The
Arab countries in
the
Gulf also welcome
visitors with coffee mixed with saffron and cardamom. It is also dissolved in tea and saffron
syrup may be prepared at home.
Westerns:
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In Europe, it is used in a large variety of dishes.
In the United Kingdom, it is mainly used to prepare leak, fish or vegetable soups with
saffron. It is also used to make cakes and ice cream.
Saffron cakes are also typical in Sweden.
Use of the spice in Mediterranean cuisine is highly varied, notably with rice: Paella
Valenciana in Spain, or Risotto a la Milanesa in Italy, but also in fish dishes, such as the
famous French Boulliabaise, or the traditional Zarzuela de Pescado, a Spanish fish and
seafood assortment.
Additionally, among Asian and Arab communities, saffron has multiple uses worldwide from
medicinal use, to cosmetic, dyes and as a precious gift in weddings and special occasions.
SAFINTER’s saffron Health Benefits:
Saffron is used in many cultures (Arabs, Chinese, Hindus, etc ..) as a natural medicine.
It is considered an astringent, that is, it astringes or restricts the intestinal processes; it is a diuretic,
calms the stomach and is a stimulant. It is used for a multitude of conditions such as fevers, loss
of appetite, asthma, infections of the respiratory tracts, diarrhoea, dysentery, epilepsy or
dyspepsia.
It has been scientifically proven to be anti-tumour. Its anticarcinogenic effects on the stomach and
also on the skin and papilomas have also been studied.
It also prevents health problems such as premenstrual syndrome, anxiety, insomnia and
depression.
Use advices:
To obtain the best performance, it is important to infuse the saffron filaments in warm water or
milk for no less than 30 minutes. Thus, all the properties will come out, and you can then pour
the liquid obtained with the filaments into the dish.
2-3 threads are normally good for approx. 250 ml liquid of a dish. With SAFINTER saffron, less is
more, with other brands, you would need more quantity for worse results.
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Powder
or
Filaments?:
In the West, consumers prefer saffron powder because of convenience, and quick results. Asian,
specially Hindus, and Arab communities prefer saffron filaments because they want their guests
to have the visual impact of their dish beautifully garnished with long saffron filaments.
3. Interesting historical & cultural factoids
Saffron is mentioned in history as far back as 2300 B.C.
The magic’s properties of saffron were mentioned by Phoenicians, Persians, Arabs and Egyptians.
Information on saffron and frescoes showing it were found in the Mediterranean around 1400
B.C.
The Romans originally introduced it in Spain and the Arabs began widespread growing in the X
Century in Spain.
Nowadays saffron is still the most appreciated spice in the world, usually called “The King of
Spices” and “The red Gold”.
4. Images, songs, quotation from culture
Quotations:
Saffron is name in the Bible as Krakom in the “Song of Songs” (10th century BC).
Homer, greatest of Greek poets described as the teacher of Greece, refers to saffron in cantos IX
and XII of the Iliad.
A man who is stingy with saffron is capable of seducing his own grandmother. (Norman Douglas,
British writer).
I must have saffron to color the warden pies (William Shakespeare, In: The Winter’s Tale).
I remember a hundred lovely lakes, and recall the fragrant breath of pine and fir and cedar and
poplar trees. The trail has strung upon it, as upon a thread of silk, opalescent dawns and saffron
sunsets. (Hamlin Garland, American novelist).
If I had a palace made of pearls, inlaid with jewels, scented with musk, saffron and sandalwood,
a sheer delight to behold – seeing this, I might go astray and forget You, and Your Name would
not enter into my mind. (Sri Guru Granth Sahib, the Holy Book of Sijs Hindus).
Proverbs:
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“August rain is
honey & grape
proverb in the book Refranes y Proverbios by Hernan Núñez, 1557).
good for saffron,
must” (Spanish
“At Saint Luke’s, saffron by the basket” (Spanish proverb in the book Refranes y Proverbios by
Hernan Núñez, 1557).
An ass does not know the importance of saffron. – Kashmir proverb – (A stupid person does not
know the importance of quality).
“Saffron is an experience”, from Hindu culture.
Music, “The Rose of Saffron”
“The Rose of Saffron” is an operetta (Zarzuela in Spanish) in two acts, comedy freely adapted by
Felix Lope de Vega El Perro del Hortelano with music by Jacinto Guerrero, and released in 1930
in Madrid.
The theme of “The Rose of Saffron” is classic: the love between two people from different social
classes. Referenced in the libretto that “love is as fragile as a pilgrim autumnal flower, which
springs at sunrise and dies in the evening."
You can watch partial parts of “The Rose of Saffron” in the following links:
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-“La canción del sembrador”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10_Kxcznb6E
-“Las espigadoras”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKcXoLT0BH8
Zarzuela is a musical and theatrical genre emerged in Spain which is distinguished mainly by
containing both instrumental, vocal parts (solos, duets, choruses ...) and spoken parts. The term
'zarzuela' applied to musical and theatrical genre comes from the Palacio de la Zarzuela, Spanish
royal palace located near Madrid.
The Family Meal book, by Ferran Adrià
Ferran Adrià has been considered for many years the best chef in the world.
His book, The Family Meal, is a collection of recipes that he and his staff would make and eat
together before the start of each shift at his legendary restaurant, elBulli. Rice makes quite a few
appearances in the book being Saffron Risotto with Mushrooms one of his famous recipes.
Jose Andrés TV show “Made in Spain”
In his TV show “Made in Spain”, famous Spanish cooker Jose Andrés, uses saffron for his dishes
highlighting the fabulous aroma, flavor and color.
Famous recipe with saffron from José Andrés is “Citrus Salad with Saffron dressing”.
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Master Chef
Even in TV shows like Master Chef, saffron appears in the Spanish edition in a special part of the
show devoted to specialty ingredients.
Etimology:
Word saffron is one of the words that is most similar in different languages. This proves how
ancient the spice is. There is no other cultivated plant that has conserved the name for so long.
Zafarán in Arabic means yellow and it is attributed to the origin of the word saffron.
Take a look at the similarities in other languages:
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Safranum in Latin
Zafferano in Italian
Safran in French
Saframi in Finnish
Saffran in German
Safraan in Polish
Sáfrányin Hungarian
Safranu in Romanian
Safrána in Latvian
Khekhrum in Armenian
Shafran in Russian
Zaferen in Turkish
Kurkum in Farsi
Kesar or zafran in India
Safárum in Malaysian
And last but not least ….,
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Azafrán in Spanish
Saffron in English
Barcelona, updated January 2016
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