Saffron is the most expensive spice in the world – and that's precisely what makes it a favorite target for counterfeiters. Do you want to buy saffron but find offers online or at markets that sound too good to be true?
Naturally, you might ask yourself: How do you recognize real saffron? How can you spot fakes, and what price is actually realistic?
No problem! In this article, we'll show you very briefly and concisely:
-
What tricks do counterfeiters use?
-
How you can easily test saffron for authenticity yourself.
-
At what price should you be clearly skeptical?
-
Where you can buy certified saffron safely and with a guarantee.
Why is saffron counterfeited at all?
The answer is simple: labor. Harvesting saffron is extremely labor-intensive: imagine needing around 150,000 crocus flowers for just one kilogram of saffron! Each flower is carefully picked and processed by hand. This rarity makes saffron valuable – and extremely expensive. It's no wonder that traders looking for a quick profit will dilute it with cheap ingredients or simply sell you something completely different than "saffron."
The most common tricks used to adulterate saffron
Pay close attention, because these are the typical methods used to deceive you:
-
Dyed petals: Often, marigolds, safflowers, or corn silk are dyed bright red to imitate real saffron threads.
-
Paper or plastic: Yes, unfortunately true! Sometimes even dyed fibers or pieces of plastic are added.
-
Adulterated powder: The risk is greatest when buying saffron powder! It is often mixed with turmeric, paprika, or beetroot powder.
-
Coated threads: Counterfeiters treat genuine saffron threads with sugar water, oil, or honey to make them appear heavier. More weight = higher price.
How to recognize real saffron yourself
Before you cook, take this short test:
-
Color in water: Genuine saffron threads slowly color water, giving it a golden-yellow hue. Fake saffron dissolves instantly, turning water a vibrant red or orange.
-
The thread shape: Real saffron threads are slightly trumpet-shaped at the end and never have a perfectly uniform thickness.
-
Scent and taste: Real saffron has a warm, earthy, and slightly sweet-bitter aroma. If it has hardly any scent or smells artificial, steer clear!
-
Most important tip: Buy saffron as whole threads – powder is much, much easier to fake.
The price of saffron: When should you be skeptical?
Price is your most important indicator of authenticity. Be honest with yourself: genuine red gold doesn't come at a bargain price.
-
Genuine Iranian saffron usually costs €6–15 per gram in online retail in Germany (depending on quality and quantity).
-
Offers for under €4-5/g should be examined extremely critically – the risk of adulteration or counterfeiting is unfortunately huge here.
-
Saffron powder costing €2-3/g or less is almost always adulterated.
Your basic rule: If the price is too low, the quality isn't genuine either.
Security through certification
Don't rely solely on your eyes or nose! The best and most reliable quality indicator is laboratory testing according to ISO/DIN standards , which measures purity, color intensity, and aroma strength.
At Safranya, we have every saffron tested and certified in Germany by independent laboratories. This guarantees you pure saffron of the highest quality, allowing you to enjoy the magic of true red gold without risk.
We want to hear from you: Have you ever encountered counterfeit saffron? Share your experiences and tips on how to recognize real saffron!
