The original saffron and its properties:

What is the difference between the original and adulterated saffron?

The original saffron is one of the best and most expensive spices in the world, and it is one of the plants with a fragrant smell. 

Methods of cheating in saffron:

Saffron is one of the products that are subject to constant fraud attempts, so it is necessary to pay attention to that when buying, and here are the ways that fraudsters do:

• Adding impurities and substances to saffron in order to increase its weight:
  The tricksters very skillfully spray water on the stigmas of saffron or store it in damp storage, which will contribute to the weight of the saffron, so this trick is difficult to detect.

• Also, some add nutrients to their saffron powder, such as sugar, salt, or honey.
• Saffron coloring:
  This method is one of the most common methods of cheating among fraudsters, as they mix the saffron root (i.e. the white or yellow part that is at the end of the saffron stigma) with the dye extracted from the stigmas of the saffron, so that this white part of the saffron becomes the color of saffron, so the buyer considers it the original saffron.
  This trick does not cause health damage, but it causes a financial loss to the buyer.
• The use of artificial color in imitation saffron:
  Some fraudsters add a dangerous dye to adulterated saffron, a dye known as Tartrazine E102 or (saffron yolk), and its consumption causes some diseases and allergies, especially in children.
  It is good to know that this industrial dye may be used to dye saffron threads such as corn silk, and it can be easily detected in the laboratory, and this trick is one of the powerful fraud methods to deceive customers.

Mostly, some add materials or threads that resemble threads or the color of the original saffron, and these fake additions include:

• calendula flower
• turmeric
• Anemone coronaria
• pomegranate flowers
• corn hair
• carnation
• wheat roots

The difference between the original and adulterated saffron:

It is possible to distinguish between the original and adulterated saffron through some characteristics, including:

Smell: The original saffron can be identified by its aroma, which resembles the smell of honey mixed with straw.

Taste: The taste of the original saffron is characterized by bitterness, and the saltiness or sweetness in it indicates the presence of additives.

Color: The original saffron can be distinguished by its color; The constant red color indicates that it is a natural product, and it can be tested by placing it in a little water and then taking it out.

Root shape: The saffron threads are curved, which indicates the originality and high quality of the saffron.