The Most Expensive Spice

Saffron is derived from the stigma and styles of the saffron crocus (Crocus sativus). Each flower produces only three stigmas, which must be carefully hand-picked and then dried. This labor-intensive harvesting process, combined with the small yield per flower, makes saffron incredibly expensive. It takes approximately 150,000 flowers to produce just one kilogram (about 2.2 pounds) of saffron. Saffron is prized for its distinct flavor, aroma, and vibrant color, used in various cuisines, traditional medicine, and as a dye.