Azerbaijan’s saffron ranks 2nd among most expensive vegetarian ingredients
By Leman Mammadova
Saffron, widely used in folk medicine centuries ago, is still one of the rarest and most precious plants in the world.
Absheron saffron, planted in Azerbaijan, has ranked second among 12 most expensive vegetarian ingredients, Trend reports citing Luxurylaunches.
Reportedly, one kilogram of Absheron saffron costs $11,000.
“Not just an exotic spice, saffron is also known for its medicinal value and its healing and aphrodisiacal qualities. The finest of its kind is said to be produced in Azerbaijan – one of the oldest centres of saffron (Crocus sativus) in the world,” said Luxurylaunches.
It is also predicted that Azerbaijan can earn more than $142.6 million per year from industrial production of saffron. More than 75,000 flowers go into the making of 0.5kg of dry saffron, with the top premium variety costing nearly $11,000 per kg.
Yubari King melons of Japan top the list with $12,000 per kilogram.
Azerbaijan meets saffron needs by importing it from neighboring Iran, the largest saffron producer in the world. However, the country also grows this valuable plant in small amounts.
Written sources claim that in some regions of Azerbaijan this valuable and expensive spice was cultivated more than a thousand years ago.
The small village of Bilgah on the Absheron peninsula still preserves the tradition of growing this miraculous plant. Saffron, grown in this area is not inferior to any world brand and with proper storage does not lose quality for very long years.
Absheron saffron has not entered the world markets yet. First of all, due to the fact that this product is not produced in sufficient quantity and does not have its own brand. Now only farmers are engaged in the production of saffron in the country.
The annual increase in saffron prices in international sales markets has forced scientists from the Ministry's Agrarian Science Center to direct their research to the revival of Azerbaijani saffron.
Due to the fact that the investments of the state in agriculture, the emergence of new areas, and the creation of the agricultural sector's processing industry are included to the state priorities, it is expected that further steps will be taken in the development of the production of saffron.
It is planned to establish Absheron Saffron Ltd in the Pirallahi Industrial Park to process saffron and produce various saffron products.
The saffron is used as a medicinal plant since ancient times.
Saffron is one of the best means to prevent cancer. It normalizes blood pressure of all cells in the body, strengthens the body's immune system, increases the body's overall tone, regulates gastric and intestinal activity, is useful in the treatment of asthma and bronchitis, also improves brain activity and strengthens memory, positively affects the nervous system, provides normal sleep.
Currently, saffron is widely used in the world of cosmetics.
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Leman Mammadova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @leman_888
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