This saffron water recipe is perfect for all your favorite dishes that require saffron. From rice to desserts, our technique for properly blooming saffron will ensure its floral flavor permeates every bite.
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After testing two techniques, we have settled on the process for making the richest saffron water to ensure you get your money's worth out of the world's most expensive spice. There is a reason saffron water is also called liquid gold!
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📖What is Saffron
Saffron is the stigma of the crocus sativus flower. Saffron is grown in Iran, Morocco, India, and Greece. It is used as a dye and for culinary purposes.
Saffron is famous for both its bright red color and its high price.
It takes over 1,000 flowers to produce one ounce of saffron. And the saffron must be hand harvested during a very short blooming period.
Most saffron in the United States is imported. All of these factors are part of what drives up the price of saffron. It is more expensive than gold!
Saffron is also called kesar.
What Does Saffron Taste Like?
Because saffron is part of a flower it should be no surprise it has floral aromas. But it is also sweet and earthy. The flavor is very subtle.
Saffron Threads Substitutes
There are no great substitutes for saffron. Most often people will use turmeric because it produces a similar color to saffron but it has a distinctly different flavor
While both spices are earthy, saffron has strong floral notes and turmeric is known for being more bitter.
When substituting turmeric, use ½ teaspoon for a pinch of saffron threads.
Saffron vs Tumeric
Saffron is from a flower. While turmeric is a rhizome, essentially a root, and is related to ginger. Both of these spices are known for their bright yellow-orange color in foods.
Tumeric has a stronger more pungent earthy flavor while saffron is delicate and floral.
🧾Ingredient Notes
Saffron Threads- This recipe calls for high-quality saffron threads.
Sugar- You can also use salt but I prefer sugar because the small amount isn't as detectable in recipes as salt. The purpose of the sugar is to create friction with the saffron to help grind it up.
Water- For tea, you will use 1 cup of water. For recipes use between ¼ cup and 1 cup depending on what your recipe calls for.
See the recipe card for exact quantities.
⏲️How to Make Saffron Water
Some saffron water recipes call for just adding a pinch of saffron to warm water or broth so it can bloom.
Other recipes call for grinding the saffron in a spice mill or mortar and pestle to create a powder before steeping.
So which one is superior? Well, I tested both and the winner is...
GRINDING!
I tested both grinding methods and found that my spice grinder and they came out equal.
Does that mean you shouldn't bother with saffron if you can't grind it? Of course not. But if you have the option to grind it, it is well worth your time.
As you can see from the photos, you are able to extract more flavor, represented by the darker color, when you grind the saffron.
To make saffron water;
- Place an equal amount of saffron and sugar in into your mortar and grind it into a powder.
- Boil up to 1 cup of water.
- Place saffron in a jar. Cover with hot water and close the lid.
- Steep for at least 10 minutes.
- Cool to room temperature and use in your recipes. Or drink it warm.
Expert Tip
Deeper-colored red saffron threads are considered higher quality than orange. and therefore more expensive. Ground saffron loses its potency quickly so always buy loose threads.
🥗How to Use Saffron Water
The most common uses for saffron water in cooking are traditional saffron rice, crispy bottom rice called Taddiq, most paella recipes use saffron water, and you can also use it in desserts like panna cottas, puddings, and cakes.
Many people drink saffron water warm, as saffron tea.
Saffron can also be used as a natural dye for fabric.
💭 Saffron Milk Variation
To make saffron milk, swap out the hot water for milk. Add the milk to a small saucepan. Slowly bring it to a simmer. Do not bring it to a full boil.
Add the crushed saffron and stir. Cover the pan to keep it warm. Steep for 5 minutes.
When making saffron milk, or "kesar milk", be sure to use sugar not salt when crushing the saffron.
🌡️How to Store Saffron
Keep saffron threads in a small airtight container and store them in a cool, dry, dark place like your spice cupboard. It will last for several months.
You can also put your wrapped saffron in the freezer for up to a year.
🌡️How to Store Saffron Water
Many people say that you can store it in a sealed jar at room temperature for several weeks.
However, because the pH of water varies I recommend storing saffron water can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for up to three weeks.
More Kitchen Basics
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📖 Recipe Card
Saffron Water
Ingredients
- ¼ teaspoon saffron threads
- ¼ teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1 cup hot water use anywhere from ¼ cup up to 1 cup of water
Instructions
- Put equal amounts of saffron and sugar in your mortar. Grind together using the pestle. Place the mixture in a sealable jar.¼ teaspoon saffron threads, ¼ teaspoon granulated sugar
- Add the hot water to the saffron mixture. Close the lid and shake.1 cup hot water
- Cool down to room temperature and use as directed in your favorite recipes.
Notes
- When testing this recipe I found that my spice grinder did as good of a job as my small mortar and pestle. You can use either tool.
- Store in a sealed jar in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.
Equipment
- mortar and pestle
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