The Story of Saffron: The World’s Most Expensive Spice (Reading Comprehension B2)

When people think of luxury food, they often picture caviar, truffles, or champagne. But there’s one luxury you might not expect: a tiny red thread called saffron.

Known as red gold, saffron is the most expensive spice in the world, sometimes costing thousands of dollars per kilogram.

But what makes this little flower thread so valuable—and so important to cultures around the world?

Let’s explore the fascinating journey of saffron, from flower to fork.

🌱 What Is Saffron?

Saffron is made from the flower of the Crocus sativus plant. The flower itself is small and purple, and it only blooms for a few weeks each year. Inside the flower are red stigmas—thin, delicate threads. These stigmas are carefully picked by hand and then dried to become the saffron we use in cooking.

But here’s the amazing part: each flower only produces three stigmas. That means it takes around 75,000 flowers to make just one pound of saffron! No wonder it’s so valuable.

🧺 Why Is Saffron So Expensive?

Saffron is incredibly labour-intensive to produce. First, farmers must pick the flowers by hand, usually early in the morning, before the sunlight damages them. Machines can’t do this job—it requires careful human hands.

Second, the yield is tiny. Each flower gives only a tiny piece of spice. And once picked, the stigmas must be dried gently to preserve their unique aroma, flavor, and bright red color.

The process requires skill, patience, and timing. Add to that the need for many workers and ideal weather conditions, and it’s easy to see why saffron is so costly.

🌍 Where Is Saffron Grown?

Most saffron in the world comes from Iran, where it has been grown for centuries. Other major producers include India (especially in the Kashmir region), Spain, and a few Mediterranean countries.

In many of these places, saffron farming is a family tradition, passed down from one generation to the next. But it’s not an easy job—farmers must deal with unpredictable weather, changing market prices, and the growing problem of counterfeit saffron (fake saffron) sold at lower prices.

🍚 What Does Saffron Taste Like?

Saffron has a complex, rich flavor. It’s slightly sweet, slightly bitter, and very aromatic.

You’ll find it in famous dishes like:

• Paella in Spain

• Risotto alla Milanese in Italy

• Biryani in India

• Saffron tea, sweets, and even ice cream!

Here’s the best part: you only need a tiny amount to flavor a full dish.

⚠️ Beware of Fakes!

Because real saffron is so expensive, there are many imitations on the market. Some sellers use dried flowers, dyed corn silk, or even colored paper to trick buyers. But experts say there’s a simple way to test saffron at home: put it in warm water.

Real saffron releases its color slowly, while fake saffron turns the water red almost immediately. Always buy from trusted sources!

📚 Vocabulary Builder

Here are some useful words from the reading:

• Stigma – The small thread inside the flower used to make saffron (different from the meaning in social issues)

• Hand-harvested – Collected carefully by hand, not by machines

• Labour-intensive – A task that needs a lot of human effort and time

• Counterfeit – Fake; not real or genuine

• Aroma – A strong or pleasant smell, often used when talking about food or flowers

Try to remember and use these in your own sentences!

❓ Comprehension Check

Let’s see how well you understood the story of saffron. Choose the best answer for each question:

• Why is saffron called “red gold”?
  A) Because it’s found in gold mines
  B) Because it’s very valuable and red in color
  C) Because it is used to make jewelry

• How many flowers are needed to make a pound of saffron?
  A) 7,500
  B) 750
  C) 75,000

• What makes saffron farming so difficult?
  A) It can only be grown in the desert
  B) Machines do all the work
  C) It must be picked by hand and is very time-sensitive

• In which country is most of the world’s saffron grown?
  A) India
  B) Iran
  C) Spain

• What is one way to tell real saffron from fake saffron?
  A) The fake kind is blue
  B) Real saffron smells like garlic
  C) Real saffron releases color slowly in water

✅ Answers: 1–B, 2–C, 3–C, 4–B, 5–C

✏️ Practice Challenge

Write a short paragraph (4–5 sentences) about why saffron is a special spice. Try to use at least three words from the vocabulary list above. You can describe how it’s made, where it comes from, or what it’s used for.

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