My mom gave us kids a "dime" bag! Saffron!

[vash]

I don't know how much it's worth, but my mom gave us a huge tin of Spanish saffron. We split the tin amongst us three kids. My sis got the original tin. We made a paella and used it. The second we bloomed the spice, the kitchen was heavily perfumed with the smell. Amazing stuff. I have plenty now. Almost a lifetimes worth. You like saffron?

[trekkor]

Easy to over do it with that spice.

I seem to remember the tins went for $60 each, 25 years ago.



KT

[imcarthur]

At the Spice Market in Istanbul last year, the vendors had 3 different grades. You could smell the difference. Even the cheapest was a crazy price so - of course - my wife bought a ridiculously small amount of the top grade which was $20 per gram or so.

And yes, a little bit goes a long way. It tends to add a medicinal taste in excess.

Ian

[trekkor]

I seem to remember the reason it's so expensive is because only so many flowers can grow in a given area and they are hand picked/plucked.

One or two strands will flavor a small pot of rice.


KT

[azasadny]

We love the stuff!!!

[rouxroux]

singing "I'm just mad about saffron..."

[Jim Bremner]

I use it alot. Thats about two to three years worth! Toast it on a plate, crush with a spoon and add to rice or what ever dish you're doing.-12 strands seems to be the right # for most dishes.

[javadog]

Bloom it before you use it.

JR

[Jim Bremner]

[QUOTE=javadog;7113463]Bloom it before you use it.

JR[/QUOTE



How do you bloom it?

[Evans, Marv]

Great stuff for Paella. It doesn't last forever once you crack the seal, so figure on using it up in a reasonable amount of time. I love everything food from Spain.

[javadog]

Originally Posted by Jim Bremner

How do you bloom it?

Soak it in warm water for a few hours.

JR