Kesar, or Saffron, is one of the most exotic spices in the world. The saffron extracts are produced from the saffron flowers which are blue in color and usually grown in cold areas with high altitudes. The rarity and hard-to-grow saffron plants are the reason why saffron extracts are so limited in their products.
Indian soil is one of the best fertile lands for the saffron plants to grow and therefore, there are only a handful of high altitude areas where saffron plants can successfully thrive. Kashmiri Kesar is extracted from the saffron flowers that grow in the Kashmir area of India, the northernmost state of India with chilly weather and high altitude geography.
Saffron and its Properties
Saffron flowers have a unique tendency as their stigmas have a beautiful golden sheen to them. Once these stigmas are manually removed by planters, they are dried in the sun when they become their original and distinct golden strand character, which is then called the saffron strands that you get in the markets.
Saffron Strands, especially the Kashmiri Kesar, is as expensive as gold as the smallest, and the lightest of strands are packed in small containers and sold in major retail shops and online for high prices. This is because of the fact that saffron flowers only have 2 to 3 stigmas and only bloom once a year.
The average weight of the harvest of saffron flowers is as much as 2000kgs. This is why their prices are equivalent to gold in the current market. Saffron flowers are blue or light blue with a white center. The stigmas of the flower have a dull orange shade. The stigmas are carefully harvested by the planters and then left in the sun to dry which gives us the natural saffron strands.
Kashmiri Kesar is harvested from the hills of Kashmir where these flowers are grown in a cold atmosphere with average to low rainfall. They need very less upkeep and maintenance, unlike other harvested flowers. Their unique character and their rare blooming are what make them so special and expensive.
Uses of Kashmiri Kesar
Kashmiri Kesar is the highest quality of saffron produced in India with a bright golden color and strong pungent aroma and taste. There are so many benefits of using and consuming saffron both as a spice and as a supplement. Below are some of the reasons why they are so famous:
- Excellent Aroma
Saffron extracts have an excellent aroma and are therefore used in most cuisines in India for enhancing their flavor. They are also used in sweets and savories to give a beautiful and bright color.
- Excellent for Skin
The biggest industry for saffron is the beauty industry as saffron is used in many cosmetics and skincare products. Saffron can be excellent for the skin as it improves the brightness of the skin and clears all blemishes and pigmentation
- Mood Elevator
The saffron extracts have antidepressant characteristics which help in managing stress and mood swings. It is excellent for those who battle with anxiety, depression, extreme PMS symptoms, and stressful work conditions.
- Anti Cancerous
Saffron strands are also known for their anticancer properties. They are believed to bring down the risk of cancers upon consumption on a regular basis and help in keeping the cells away from free radical damages.
- High in Antioxidants
Saffron is also high in antioxidants and therefore great for protecting and repairing cells in the body.
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