There was once a time, not too long ago, that spices were a luxury in our world, a luxury so splendrous that wars were declared in their names. While it has been a few hundred years, give or take, since the last spice-sourced bloodshed occured, one particular spice still remains a luxury in the modern world – saffron.

Indeed, the swanky spice has been coveted and craved by humankind for more than 3,500 years, a desire that crossed continents, cultures, and dynasties. Saffron, derived from a the dried stigmas of the saffron crocus plant, was a name bequeathed to it by the Ancient Greeks, with a dash of Hebrew. The plant is unmistakable, blooming into a cup-shaped flower in gorgeous lilac hues.  

1. It sells for USD$500-5,000 a pound

It is only natural for one to wonder, what is so special about saffron that accounts for its stunning wholesale price of US$500-$5,000 per pound? The bulk of the reason is that it actually takes over 80,000 of the crocus flowers to produce just one pound of the vermilion spice. Furthermore, each plant can only be harvested within a short time frame in the Autumn months.

2. It was discovered in Greece

Saffron is said to have first been discovered on the Greek island of Crete during the Bronze Age, with its first recorded image said to depict the flower being picked by young girls and monkeys.

3. Most of the world’s supply now comes from Iran

Iran is now responsible for over 90 percent of the world’s saffron harvest and supply. However, despite the country’s mass production of the spice, it is said that the producers in Spain are, in fact, purveyors of products of the best quality in the world.