Saffron finds a variety of uses in India and abroad. In India, it is used as a herb in Ayurvedic Medicines which heal a variety of diseases ranging from Arthritis to Impotence and Infertility. It is known to have aphrodisiac properties and is widely used in Asia and the Middle East as such. Chinese and Tibetan Medicine also find many uses of this exotic herb.
It is an essential commodity in high quality milk/cream based confectioneries and Mughlai dishes in India wherein it imparts a rich colour and distinctive flavour.
The fact is that Indians in general are crazy about this exotic spice. In India, to serve dishes laced with saffron is regarded as a mark of honour to the guest and has become the norm rather than an exception. In fact the average use of this spice in even a middle class family wedding in the state of Rajasthan and Gujarat is about 250 gms!
Due to the large number of experienced users in India and the frequency of the use also being very high, the consumer in India is very discerning. After having tried the product of other countries, he prefers the local variety above all others and Kashmiri Saffron commands a premium over the rest even in India and the locally produced saffron is priced higher than that available of Spain or Iran.
In the western world it is used primarily as a spice. But it is also discovering its uses as a health tonic which naturally does not have side effects. About 50 mg of Saffron dissolved in a glass of 200ml milk and a spoonful of sugar makes a very tasty drink which is also a health tonic. A regular intake of this every day for a period of time enables the body to build resistance against a lot of common diseases such as Asthma, Common colds claim Ayurvedic Practitioners. But beware, do not to expect it to act as a magic potion because it is essential to have a regular intake for it to be effective.
http://www.babysaffron.com/
*Sponsored by the crocus growers of Kashmir*
*Got Saffron?*
Very cool, thanks for the link! That stuff is expensive, so I don't think what they're passing off for Saffron is the real deal. I bookmarked the site, because a couple of recipes caught my eye.
Need to give a holler to my son in law. Maybe he can get me some at a better price :)