• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Peel with Zeal

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • GF Resources
  • About Us
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • TikTok
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • GF Resources
    • About Us
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • TikTok
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Kitchen Basics

    Published: Feb 6, 2023 by Jen Wooster

    Saffron Water

    • Share
    • Yummly
    • Email
    Jump to Recipe
    Saffron steeping in water.
    Saffron steeping in water.
    Steeping powdered saffron in a jar.
    Saffron steeping in water.

    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.

    Saffron steeping in water.

    This post may include affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

    Please read the entire post for tips and tricks to ensure a perfect recipe every time. And don't forget to tag @peelwithzeal on Instagram so we can admire your creation!

    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!

    Jump to:
    • 📖What is Saffron
    • 🧾Ingredient Notes
    • ⏲️How to Make Saffron Water
    • 👩🏻‍🍳 Expert Tip
    • 🥗How to Use Saffron Water
    • 💭 Saffron Milk Variation
    • 🌡️How to Store Saffron
    • 🌡️How to Store Saffron Water
    • More Kitchen Basics
    • 📖 Recipe

    📖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.

    Recipe ingredients on a counter.

    ⏲️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.

    Steeping powdered saffron in a jar.

    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.

    Yellow saffron rice in a serving bowl.

    💭 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.

    Saffron water being stored in a jar.

    🌡️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

    • Sliced brussels sprouts on a plate.
      How to Shred Brussels Sprouts
    • bottles orange juice and fresh oranges on a counter.
      11 Delicious Orange Juice Substitutes for Recipes
    • mango nectar in a glass.
      Mango Nectar
    • harissa paste in white bowl
      How to Make Harissa Paste

    If you enjoyed this recipe, please leave us a rating or a comment. It helps other wonderful people connect with our food.

    📖 Recipe

    Saffron water in a jar.

    Saffron Water

    Bloom saffron in hot water to make all your favorite dishes from rice to tea, even desserts. You can make a batch and keep for 2 to 3 weeks.
    Servings: 1 cup
    Prep: 5 mins
    Cook: 0 mins
    Total: 5 mins
    5 from 2 votes
    PRINT PIN SAVE

    Equipment

    • mortar and pestle
    • spice grinder

    Ingredients
      

    • ¼ teaspoon saffron threads
    • ¼ teaspoon granulated sugar
    • 1 cup hot water use anywhere from ¼ cup up to 1 cup of water
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    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.
    Rate this Recipe

    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.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 4kcal | Carbs: 1g
    Author: Jen Wooster
    Course:: Kitchen Basics
    Cuisine: Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Persian
    Keyword how to bloom saffron, how to make saffron water, saffron water for cooking
    Tried this recipe?Tag us @peelwithzeal so we can see your creation!

    Next Recipe

    • Can of Crisco on a counter with a spoon of vegetable shortening.
      The Best Substitutes for Crisco
    • Colorful bell peppers cut different ways on a plate.
      How to Cut a Bell Pepper
    • Tostada shells stacked on a plate.
      How to Make Tostada Shells
    • Chopped fresh dill in a bowl.
      How to Cut Dill (Harvesting and Chopping)
    • Share
    • Yummly
    • Email

    Reader Interactions

    Join the Discussion Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Greetings!

    picture of Jen

    My name is Jen and I am the recipe developer, writer, and photographer around here. Since being diagnosed with celiac disease over 10 years ago I have been slowly curating a recipe box full of gluten-free goodness. I adore vegetables, crave chocolate, and I am always up for an adventure.

    More About Me...

    Subscribe

    Not To Miss Recipes!

    • roasted eggplant on baking sheet
      Easy Oven Roasted Eggplant Slices
    • parmsean roasted zuchhini and yellow squash on a plate.
      Parmesan Roasted Zucchini and Squash
    • christmas cookies decorated with royal icing
      Royal Icing with Meringue Powder
    • Roasted cornish hens on a plate with oranges and herbs.
      Citrus and Herb Cornish Hens

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • About Us
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Accessibility Statement

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates
    • Check out our new Web Stories

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Partnerships

    Copyright © 2023 Peel with Zeal