I use the spice knowing that it is more expensive than gold, and when I produce my "Bring a Plate" my pot of saffron rice, my host will know that I brought something special. It's aroma is very unusual, and you don't need to doctor the taste with lots of addictives. I just fry up some ginger, garlic and onion.
Yesterday, I had to cook for many people. I couldn't afford to use saffron. I cooked the cheaper version of yellow rice, using tumeric or yellow ginger. The rice turns out more yellow, and to make it more aromatic, I have to add coconut milk or suntan. In South East Asia, they call it nasi Kunic.
This info is from wikipedia.
Saffron (pronounced /ˈsæfrən/, /ˈsæfrɒn/; Persian: زَعْفَرَان; Chinese: 藏红花) is a spice derived from the dried stigma of the flower of the saffron crocus (Crocus sativus), a species of crocus in the family Iridaceae.
When not used fresh, the rhizomes are boiled for about 30–45 minutes and then dried in hot ovens,[5] after which they are ground into a deep-orange-yellow powder commonly used as a spice in Indian cuisine, Pakistani cuisineand curries, for dyeing, and to impart color to mustard condiments. One active ingredient is curcumin, which has a distinctly earthy, slightly bitter, slightly hotpeppery flavor and a mustardy smell.
http://mondaymellowyellows.blogspot.com.au/
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