Saffron – the world's most expensive spice – has captivated people for centuries with its unique flavor, intense color, and health benefits. But not all saffron is created equal : there are different quality grades that vary significantly in production, color, aroma, and intensity.
If you want to buy saffron, it's important to know what types of saffron exist and what they are used for. In this article, you'll learn everything about the most important saffron qualities – from Pushal to Negin – and why Negin saffron is considered the highest quality.
The most important types and quality grades of saffron
1. Pushal (Poshal) Saffron
- Production: In Pushal, the red stigmas are harvested along with part of the yellowish stem base.
- Characteristics: Red threads with a yellowish tint, less aroma and color intensity.
- Uses: Popular in regional cuisines, e.g. for stews or as a cheaper alternative for coloring food.
👉 Tip: Pushal is cheaper, but less suitable for fine gourmet cuisine.
2. Sargol Saffron (pure tips)
- Production: Only the deep red tips of the saffron threads are selected, without any white or yellow parts.
- Characteristics: Vibrant color, intense aroma, very aromatic.
- Use: Ideal for cooking, baking and desserts when a strong saffron aroma is desired.
👉 Tip: A very popular choice for everyday use in the kitchen.
3. Negin Saffron (Premium Quality)
- Production: Only the whole, long, and thick red stigmas are hand-picked. Without stem, without any yellow content – pure and intense.
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Characteristics:
- Longer and stronger threads than Sargol
- Uniformly deep red
- Highest content of crocin (color), safranal (aroma) and picrocrocin (bitter substances)
- Use: Perfect for gourmets, fine dining, restaurants and high-quality gift ideas.
👉 Tip: Even the smallest amounts are enough to intensely color dishes and enhance their aroma.
4. Konas/ Konj (white saffron, stigma base)
- Production: The light lower part of the saffron thread is separated from the red part.
- Characteristics: Whitish-yellow, hardly any aroma or color intensity.
- Uses: Hardly relevant in the kitchen, but used in traditional medicine.
Why is Negin saffron the best choice when buying?
- Premium look: Whole, strong, long threads look elegant and high-quality – perfect for saffron gift boxes or fine glasses.
- Highest quality: Negin contains the most active ingredients and offers the most intense aroma.
- Customer trust: Whole, deep red threads immediately show that it is genuine, unadulterated saffron.
- Value for money: Although more expensive than Pushal or Sargol, the intensity means that even the smallest amounts are sufficient – ideal for connoisseurs and gourmets.
Conclusion: Which saffron should you buy?
- Pushal : cheaper, but less intense
- Sargol : pure tips, strong aroma
- Negin : the best saffron quality , premium standard worldwide
- Konas/Konj : hardly any aroma, used primarily for medicinal purposes.
So if you want to buy real saffron , Negin saffron is the first choice – visually elegant, intense in taste and perfect for high-quality cuisine.
Feel free to take a look at our premium Super Negin saffron threads in the shop.
