Table of Contents
- Saffron? Wait, What Is That? (Seriously, a Basic Intro)
- How to pick good saffron (the one that didn’t fall off the back of a truck).
- Storage: The “Don’t Let It Die” Guide.
- Cooking with Saffron: It’s Not as Scary as It Looks (Probably).
- A little goes a Long way – saffron’s strength explained!
- Soaking it right for max flavour explosion.
- What goes with Saffron ? Cooking idea and more!
- My Personal thoughts of saffron and what it means!
- Conclusion of everything.
- FAQ: Quick Fire (Because I know you have questions, lol).
Article:
- Saffron? Wait, What Is That? (Seriously, a Basic Intro)
So, yeah, Saffron. I thought it was just a word on some fancy curry recipe until I actualy started looking at it (or my roommate). Its not like any regular plant, it isn’t like rosemary you can throw around without any thinking. I mean first time i saw it i thought “this stuff seems super fancy for plant”! basicly is, this teeny tiny little thing, called the Crocus sativus flower. Okay okay i copied that of google! But anyway the important bits are those “stigmata”—that the weird red thready bits. It takes like, a lot of flowers to make even like, a spoonful, that makes more sense why it super expensive and like some crazy valuable stuff ! Basically is this little magical things and people harvest that very carefully and stuff, but not my deal! My deal is, trying to cook with it (that makes me stressed already!).
- How to Pick Good Saffron (The One That Didn’t Fall Off the Back of a Truck)
Okay, lets’ get real for a moment, buying saffron feels a little like a secret mission, or an actual episode of spy movies but in kitchen, I got no gun here or crazy gadgets here just some bills and spices. First of all its color, good saffron supposedly be deep red. if you got something orangy , its like “hmm, you just brought a cheap and probably low grade saffron or maybe you were trying to get ripped-off”. Its suppose to look like it shone, and have the full look! like the pictures in instagram !
Then is all about smelling. Its should be floral-honeyish sort a flavor! nothing that look funny , or maybe make you thing that there’s some chemical smell behind . Now that texture should be super dried and fragile. But that dosnt mean its powder, be warned, its a big no, dont bring powerder version here! Its is not supposed to look broken. Whole stigmata is the king here! its kind of similar of gold but you can use for foods and not as a necklace or stuff like that. Oh, if price is too good to be real its 100% not real so maybe just throw away , i never found this sort of offer lol ( maybe i have to get into a spy organization..nah, food is easier than any fighting stuff lol!)
- Storage: The “Don’t Let It Die” Guide
So, you’ve gone all out and acquired the red gold (as if!). Don’t you dare let it go bad! It’s a matter of pride now that you took your time finding a real thing!. Number one thing is, dark place. think Dracula not party in sun shine kinda space. That’s right; its better store somewhere where the light doent reach it so basically a cupboard is ok (i guess). Number two, keep it dry and close the lid!, dont let moisty environment ruins the precious cargo , it is an emergency here now (not really calm yourself, still just saffron), you should always find somewhere dark, and dry, like most spices. Like my closet with shoes. i’ll move that.. i’m lying… probably not, will it affect it’s flavour if the perfume touch the jar…i hope not, it will make for one fancy rice meal lol
- Cooking with Saffron: It’s Not as Scary as It Looks (Probably)
Ok, this where things start to become little bit intimidating . like when I stared playing GTA5 online (i rage quitted, still traumatized!). Its more easy then fighting people over internet, for sure! It looks very pretty when you sprinkle all these things around so no one can accuse you are bad in cooking because, LOOK AT THAT SPICES! So I’ll try to help to ease that feeling, since we are same generation lol
- A Little Goes a Long Way
Okay, so the number one rule for cooking with this tiny things here is use just a small amount of that. They’re potent as all get-out. Like if a jalapeño became spice and then had a superpower. Don’t even start by just trowing this directly over pan without thinking!, you can destroy everything in one seconds! start small with like 3 – 4 strands, and learn the right balance ( or not ). Seriously though; just dont overdo. Less is way more in here ( like every girl tells about make-up lol )
- Soaking It Right for Max Flavor Explosion
Now for the juicy parts. You know soaking and everything? so hear is trick for the most tasty experience here: take small warm liquid. Usually this is the base ingredient to the meal. Think about warm broth, or just water; let that warm-ish drink to go all deep with those precious stigmas for like… half an hour, ( you are more free now , put that phone back lol) Then your meal becomes way way better because the little red guys released some kind of superpower here (that’s not even the true meaning but i guess this helps!). This technique, this little magical thing , helps you get that flavor in every corner, which in result leads you into “tasty town”. Its kind of amazing, like learning new code , or new song to sing along, kind of satisfying
- What Goes With Saffron? Cooking Ideas and More!
The first thing you want is that gorgeous rice. Paella its king but I am just some random people here I think it works very good! Rice in most asian dishes , i think also, and even the weirdest ones, maybe ! Like if there’s any place for rice use it!. In case you want more options, i had good experice with it in sauces. They get this subtle flavour it give a real chef move! . You can throw on some baked chicken ( make some fancy Instagram post ) . Even soup? Yea it sounds silly but i know better then under estimate! They work as universal ” make good everything stuff”! I’m a big fan now tbh. Even in dessert! yes you heard right!, like in pudding! My roommate said i shouldnt but still i gonna try!. Now be free to create crazy experience , and if anyone judges just say is modern cooking and everyone leave you alone and impressed like a Master chef in the kitchen ! .
- My Personal Thoughts of Saffron and What It Means
Okay, for me is way more then food and stuff here. It is the magic of human effort and skill! All those folks on the farms picking those teeny stigmas! This isnt a mass product machine! People get up early, work in heat and cold , just for these little precious gems! it kind a touchy if you think about it deeply (and i think a lot, usually about nothing important, lol). It remind me that small can hold some power. Like this spice! Small red threads can spice a giant pot and make feel very good after hard day! . Or, how small kindness gesture, makes somebody super happy or that one person’s small vote make big decision (and many small people can makes some very loud noise haha!) , now everything it got the new meaning to it thanks to saffron , lol. Food for thought , right?
- Conclusion of Everything
So what is final results of saffron lesson, right? its not so scary as I initially thought . I’m actually like, hyped to throw that into any soup now (but don’t tell anybody okay!). Its good flavour, if used correctly is magical. But that isnt end of road!. You know learning never ends! I feel kinda grown up, talking this like somebody professional ,lol. Even i got my mistake everywhere i think I made pretty clear ,and hope anyone who reads these can also get their own conclusion! Dont let me decide , go have fun with foods. Remember always try and taste food in real life is amazing experiece! . If something tastes good let us know!
- FAQ: Quick Fire (Because I Know You Have Questions, lol)
Okay time for quick ones ( i got nothing else for you, sorry not sorry).
- Is Saffron Always that Expensive? Yep!. Deal with it, sorry not sorry
- How long does saffron last? A long time like grandma’s old purse as long keep the guide right
- Can i put them with vodka?..umm.. I dont see why not but it should taste really funny. Be your own experiments lol.
- Any crazy recipes? Ok..I might update more.. But i am getting too long here!.
Alright. that’s it i think we reach to finish point ! Go cook amazing foods! Be free ! Have good life!.
( Now i go buy new flavour for snacks…it’s time )