Ways to Check Purity of Saffron

Saffron is the most expensive spice in the world. The rise in prices for “red gold” acts like a bid for adulteration after the incentives got raised. It has been a serious problem faced by B2B and B2C markets. Therefore, the use of adulterated saffron leaves behind the deepest thought in the customer’s mind.

But don’t worry, Puri Brothers is here to help you. They always recommend a Laboratory Tested (ISO 3632) Saffron, which doesn’t require resources on a laboratory report to check for purity every time you make a deal. Puri Brothers have listed a few DIY tests for you to check the purity of Saffron.

Let’s check it out.

The problem faced by Adulteration

An article stated that “A limited but nationwide study has found that nearly half of samples of saffron, the most expensive among spices used in sweets and condiments, sold in India were adulterated and none met the top color and aroma standards. The study, supported by the Union food processing industries ministry, has revealed that none of 36 samples of saffron picked up from 17 locations across India met quality standards for grade I or grade II saffron”. Although, this problem is not limited to India.

An article also stated that adulteration is the major problem for not becoming an everyday spice.

Additionally, there have been reports of saffron with low quality in countries like England, Spain, Greece, etc. Spain witnessed a stock seizure in 2019 due to adulterated saffron worth Rs 6.7 crores.

List of the common Saffron Adulterants

Make sure you are cautious while buying saffron from the market since there would be much gambling going on for this expensive spice.

• Beware of saffron flower petals and their yellow style
• corn stigmas which are colored with natural dyes such as beetroot
• addition of parts of the plant like cut grass, white mulberry, wheat, or pistachio lead to an increase in the weight
• the high graded saffron is mixed with lower graded or spoiled saffron
• splashing the fibers with honey or vegetable oil to increase their weight
• blending the saffron powder with turmeric, paprika, etc, to increase the weight

Such types of adulterations make you find it difficult to identify the natural Saffron.

7 DIYs for you

Puri Brothers help you to pick the natural and purest saffron. Be cautious about the following tests.

1. Flavor: You can check the quality of saffron thread by placing it in the mouth. If you feel a bitter taste, then it is pure saffron.
2. Aroma: Pure Saffron should smell, but never taste Sweet!
3. Release in cold water or baking soda: Take a bowl of cold water and place some saffron threads in it. You will see that the “Pure Saffron” will slowly change into a golden hue color. Wait for some time as the color change takes up to an hour. The saffron retains its red color.
   Alternatively, you can check the purity of pure saffron by mixing it with baking soda and saffron in a cup filled with water. If the mixture is colored yellow, then it is pure saffron.
4. Rub the saffron threads with your fingers: After soaking the saffron threads in cold water for a few minutes, take a pair of saffron and place them on your fingers. Rub the saffron gently with your fingers 2-3 times. If Saffron threads break into small pieces or turn dusty then you are trading with fake saffron.
5. Pricing: If it is not too expensive, there is a chance that it is not real saffron. 
6. Check the country of origin: If you are buying saffron in bulk quantities, it is advised to check the country of origin as there are many rebrands of saffron prices in the market.
7. Appearance: Saffron threads are trumpet-shaped, with conical ends. If thread curls and attains too much red or yellow, it is adulterated saffron.

These tests can help you to get real saffron and cherish its benefits. It is always recommended to buy a bulk quantity of saffron from a trusted source since performing such quants of these tests can be cumbersome. Hence, always make a deal with a trusted vendor for your products.

Puri Brothers Global ensures to provide A-grade Saffron in the purest form to their customers. They make sure that there are no foreign particles present in the saffron. And export the goods only after it is certified by NABL (National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories ) under the ISO 3632 protocol.