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Saffron Threads
Saffron (Crocus sativus) has the distinction of being the most expensive spice. It is the bright orange-red stigma from a small, fall-blooming purple crocus that is cultivated in Spain, Greece, India and Iran. Each flower contains three stigmas, which are approximately one inch in length. The harvesting, drying and packaging of saffron is done entirely by hand and total annual production is less than 200 metric tons. Saffron has been used as a flavoring, a natural dye, and a perfume ingredient for thousands of years. Due to its intense color, it was most likely first used as a dye. Its honey-like aroma was loved by the Greeks and Romans who also used it as an ingredient in perfume. Today, saffron is primarily a flavor. Luckily, just a few strands of this expensive culinary jewel are sufficient to season several servings of paella, rice and stew.
Silver Cloud sells only the very best Persian and Spanish branched saffron. The color is deep red and its flavor and fragrance superior. It is important to only buy saffron threads. Ground saffron is easily and often adulterated with turmeric and other spices. Many cooks break up the threads and infuse them in a little hot liquid before adding them to a dish. This results in a more even color and flavor.
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More about Saffron
The finest Saffron in the world is produced in the province of Castilla La Mancha, which is in South Central Spain, below Madrid. In October the fall blooming crocus bulbs come to life and within two weeks the flowers reach maturity - their colorful stigmas having fully developed their characteristic orange-red color.
Saffron stigmas must be harvested in such a way that they do not rub against their pollen rods, which can contaminate their exquisite color. Early in the morning, on the first day they are in bloom, farmers harvest the whole flower while the petals are still closed. Each crocus bulb produces about five flowers during the short season. Like the rose harvest in Bulgaria, the saffron harvest requires a large workforce and everyone in the local villages helps – even the schools are closed.
After harvest, the flowers are taken to warehouses where villagers sit around tables and by hand carefully separate the stigmas from each flower. Once the stigmas have been removed, they are carefully dried over charcoal embers. This process must be watched closely to ensure that no scorching occurs. This would results in the loss of flavor and aroma and reduce the value of the saffron. During the drying process, the stigmas lose about 75 percent of their weight. While hard to believe, it takes more than 225,000 stigmas to make just one pound of dried saffron! The dried saffron is then packed in metal tins or small plastic vials. If stored properly saffron can be kept for several years without a loss of quality.
Silver Cloud sells its saffron in small plastic cylinders that bear the Spanish producer’s mark. We also purchase saffron in tins and re-pack the threads in cellophane envelopes. The vials or cellophane envelopes are then sealed into a glass bottle for freshness. |
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Why Buy Your Spices at Silver Cloud
Estates?
Why buy spices online when they are so readily available at your local store? The answer is quality and price. The spices sold at your local store are often a year or two old. As spices age, they loose much of their flavor. Silver Cloud's spices are always fresh, never old. Our products are also an excellent value. When you need spices, click on Silver Cloud Estates for the freshest products at great prices.
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Silver Cloud offers the finest cured Vanilla Beans, which can be purchased
in glass tubes containing three beans or 8 ounce and 17 ounce vacuum sealed pouches.
There are approximately 40 beans in an 8 ounce pouch. Since our beans are
sold by weight, depending on the size of the beans, the number in a pouch will
vary.
For
Whole Vanilla Beans Click Here
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News
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This month we have added a number of imitation flavors including Peanut Butter. We are focusing our efforts on developing a complete line of flavors that have special appeal to customers of Mexican, South and Central American descent. As part of this effort we have started offering Imitation Dulce de Leche, Horchata and Lychee Extract. We have also added under pure and natural flavors a Chirimoya, Natural Flavor Blend. Next month, look for Papaya, Margarita and Condensed Milk
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