OMG - Saffron at $60 per ounce???

thebtls

I went to the store to pick up the items I needed for my first Tagine Chicken cook (picked up a new toy this weekend - a Tagine)...and when I checked out there was a $15 item on my list; the .5 oz (or less) bottle of Saffron Sprigs. I walked straight to the return counter and got my money back...I'll do without!

The Naked Whiz

You can find saffron much cheaper at Indian groceries if you can find one near you. La Tienda has saffron for $15 per gram. Of course, you don't use much, so the price you found doesn't sound too bad.

thirdeye

Whiz,

I shot you a question in that lamb roast thread below...

thebtls

In my research however the PRIMARY purpose of saffron is the yellow color it provides. THe taste in my experience was a little grassy or hay like and since many indian recipies allow for yellow food coloring powder as a substitute, I'll pass. Especially since I am not going to cook straight indian style, only the vessel. We'll see how it turns out tonight. (I'll buy 15 gallons of gasoline to drive to the store with instead)

Firestarter21

This might give you some insight as to why it is so expensive.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saffron

Like TNW said, it is probably going to be cheaper at local asian markets if there are any around. And you also don't need much at all typically to cook with.

thirdeye

A very generous Egger hooked me up over a year ago and really broadened my horizons when it came to using it.

stike

that's where we got ours. made five paellas out of that. good stuff. not the same without it.

thebtls

Thanks to all but I am going to change up the spice combination all together and head in a non-indian-Asian direction with this cook. Maybe next time.

Unknown

not only is it expensive but it has to be toasted and that is painful :laugh:



i am planting my own this fall

Dimple's Mom

Grow your own! It comes from a little pretty fall-blooming crocus flower. The bulbs are not expensive. Each only yields a couple threads of saffron but I think it would be pretty fun to grow it. I bought some last year to grow, but it was in an order of 475 other bulbs and guess what - most of them did not make it into the ground. :( I am trying to go thru them and put any that are still decent into the ground. I have learned my lesson on huge bulb orders and will just order in small amounts from now on.

Gwen

Unknown

i ordered 48 bulbs and 'the book says they spread'
seems like a fun thing to do...as far as bulbs. i ordered wholesale thru friends ...600 sounded good never again!

Fluffyb

We were traveling in Spain a year ago and found it in a local grocery for 1.65 Euro for .375g. A deal! I bought 5, gave a couple as gifts. It takes very little to add great flavor to rice and vegetable dishes.

Richard Fl

Latin grocery stores usually carry the latin AZAFRAN, sun flower plant. Takes more but the cost is very inexpensive. I have found safron from spain and iran are the best. Very little needed for a paella or whatever.

http://www.gourmetsleuth.com/equivalents_substitutions.asp?index=A&tid=1950

AZRP

-RP

BajaTom

Try Traders Joe if you have one near you. They Saffron pretty cheap. Good luck, Tom

Slotmercenary

where are you going to find 15 gallons of gas for $15 to drive to the store do tell...........