With all the time indoors granted to everyone during this pandemic, some have taken up the hobby of tinkering around their kitchen. Playing with ingredients and spices is particularly interesting and fun to do so. Saffron is one such spice which you can try out many different meals and drinks with. The spice itself is pretty flexible when it comes to its applications, and it can bring vibrant flavours to the table.
What is Saffron?
Before anything else, you might be wondering: what is saffron? If you are new to this spice, saffron is dubbed as the “most expensive spice in the world”. While the title can be intimidating to spice newbies like yourself, there is no need to worry. The expensive price of saffron comes from the fact that cultivating and harvesting this spice is a tedious task that involves long hours of labour. The stigmas from the flower of Crocus sativus must be hand-picked with utmost care during a specific period to keep its delicate aroma and taste. The best quality saffron undergoes this meticulous process to ensure its freshness.
What does Saffron taste like?
This spice sports a unique taste that leaves an impression on anyone who happens upon a dish or drink with it mixed in. It can be quite complex to describe but it has a subtle sweetness mixed with a slight bitter taste. The taste can also differ depending on the amount of saffron you put in your dish. Since saffron is very potent, a little pinch goes a long way.
How to use Saffron?
Now that you have gotten your hands on the best quality saffron there is, here are 3 different ways you can use the spice in your cooking:
Dry rub on meat dishes
If you have saffron threads at home, you can easily ground these threads into powder which can be a great addition to your herb and spice rub. This saffron-infused rub will definitely elevate your meat dish to new heights.
Adding it to soups and stews
For dishes that have sauce or broth in them, adding saffron threads directly is possible. This is because the heat and liquid in the dish will bring out the spice’s aroma and flavour. French onion soup and beef stews are examples of dishes you can add saffron threads directly.
Infused in desserts
Powdered saffron works wonderfully with ice cream and other types of dessert. Just add a bit of water onto the powdered spice and mix it well until it turns crimson gold hue. This liquid can then be infused with ice creams and fillings for your dessert.
Saffron might be a tad expensive for your typical grocery run, but it is definitely well worth its value. With the three methods listed above, you can easily whip up saffron-infused dishes in no time.
