Key facts
| Hindi name | Kesar |
|---|---|
| Also called | Zafraan |
| Flavour | Honeyed, floral and slightly bitter, with a golden colour. |
| Heat | No heat |
| Sold as | Threads |
| Stays fresh | Whole: 2 years · check your jars |
| Best substitute | There is no real substitute. For colour only, a pinch of turmeric. |
| Used in | 4 of our dishes |
How to use it
Soaked in warm milk and added to biryani, kheer, shrikhand, kulfi and festive sweets.
- Soak a pinch of threads in two tablespoons of warm milk for 15 minutes before using.
- Real saffron threads are red with a lighter tip and colour liquid slowly.
- Very cheap "saffron" is almost always fake or mixed.
Substitute
There is no real substitute. For colour only, a pinch of turmeric.
Storage
Keep in an airtight container in the dark; it lasts a couple of years.
Each crocus flower gives just three threads, which is why saffron is so costly. Kashmir is India’s saffron region.
Pairs well with
Dishes that use saffron
Frequently asked questions
What is saffron called in Hindi?
Kesar. Also known as Zafraan.
What can I use instead of saffron?
There is no real substitute. For colour only, a pinch of turmeric.
How long does saffron keep?
Keep in an airtight container in the dark; it lasts a couple of years.
Tips from travellers
Use Saffron differently at home? Share your tip. The first good one goes right here.
Share a tip
Questions from readers
Question about Saffron? Ask it here.