Thursday, June 23, 2016

Paper Cut Art: Saffron


Papercut by Indira

Do-Something-Everyday, June 23, 2016

 Saffron, mainly used in the cuisines of India and the Middle East, is the most expensive spice in the world. It is derived from the flower of Crocus sativus.  Each crocus bears about four flowers, each with three red stigmas known as threads.

Photo courtesy Wikipedia

Photo courtesy Wikipedia

The threads are harvested by hand and dried to be used both as a flavoring and a colorant in food. Each flower produces about twelve threads and about 125 flowers are needed to produce one gram of saffron threads. The labor costs involved in the cultivation and the limited amount produced by the plants are the main reasons for the high cost of saffron. Thankfully, only a small amount is needed to add distinctive flavor and yellow color to food. To make the most of  the small amount of dried saffron, soak it in a few teaspoons of warm milk for a few minutes before adding it just as the dish approaches doneness. When buying saffron, which are sold at all Indian grocery stores, buy a small amount at a time, and store it in the freezer.

I love the taste and the color of saffron and it finds its way in many of the milk based desserts that I make. Below is Eggless Indian Tapioca Pudding topped with threads of saffron.  The complete recipe post is found here.


Thanks for visiting. Linked to Paint Party Friday.





15 comments:

  1. Lovely tribute to this wonderful spice

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  2. Beautiful art and photos, Happy PPF, hugs, Valerie

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  3. Cut paper art boggles my mind. Thanks for all the info about this spice. Your dish looks delicious! Hppf!

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  4. Cool paper cutting and yummy looking soup!

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  5. lovely papercutting and interesting about the saffron. I just read all about it in a book I'm reading about someone living in France and visiting a farmer who cultivates the crocuses for the saffron threads.

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  6. Wonderful Saffron post. I too enjoy the look and flavor of it. Thanks for the recipe too.

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  7. wow that is so intricate..love saffron but its very expensive

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  8. I think Saffron is fascinating. It's so interesting and cool the way it's harvested. Great paper art and soup!
    Happy PPF to you

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  9. Great paper cutting and the dish looks like a painting. Saffron is my favourite spice.

    Love and hugs
    Maarit

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  10. Wonderful artwork so intricate. What I adore seeing is that vintage Correll plate...I had the same one in the seventies in harvest gold....my mom had some too! So fun.

    Hugs Giggles

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  11. your papercut is beautiful... and I love saffron... we use it a lot here in Australia as well...

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  12. Oh that cut paper is breathtaking:-)

    EAGHL
    http://trigra.blogspot.com

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  13. A wonderful post.. thank you for the recipe and your papercut is just ADORABLE!

    oxo Susi

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  14. Very interesting information. I love the papercut!

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  15. I learned so much about this delicate spice. Thank you!

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