Saffron is a spice made from the dried stigmas of the Crocus sativus flower. It adds aroma, flavour and colour to cooking. The threads in the jar come from a particular part of the flower: they are neither petals nor roots.
From flower to thread
Spain’s Ministry of Agriculture describes a purple flower with three long stigmas. These are gathered and dried or toasted for preservation. It helps to distinguish the plant, the flower and the spice: the last of these is what you are buying for the kitchen.
The Spanish word azafrán comes from Arabic, according to the DLE dictionary. That explains the name, rather than establishing where cultivation began. The Ministry’s inventory says the plant’s origin remains uncertain; a theory about domestication should not become a firm historical date.
Saffron and colouring
Rice recipes sometimes offer saffron and colouring as alternatives for colour. They are different ingredients, however. Before buying a paella seasoning mix, read its composition: the name on the front alone will not tell you whether it contains saffron.
Follow your chosen recipe for how to add it. Increasing the amount simply to achieve a bright yellow colour is not a useful way to judge a rice dish. The stock, tomato and other ingredients in the sofrito matter too.
| Term | What it tells you in a recipe |
|---|---|
| Saffron | Identifies a spice with a particular botanical origin. |
| Colouring | Describes a function; read the label for its composition. |
| Sofrito | A preparation whose ingredients are cooked before the rice is added. |
In a Vinalopó kitchen
Saffron features in Alicante and Valencian rice recipes; here, for example, it appears in the Valencian paella in our recipe collection. The glossary entry explains the dish, while the recipe provides quantities and steps. Distinguishing these terms helps when reading a menu or an ingredients list.
For a group meal, explore Xepep’s paellas and rice dishes cooked on site. Tell us about the occasion, location and number of guests when you request a quote, so we can agree the rice dish and service format with you.
Related terms
See also: Paella valenciana · Sofrito · Bomba rice.