McCormick Gourmet All Natural Spanish Saffron, 0.06 oz

Saffron comes from the flower of the crocus plant (it's actually the plant's dried stigma) has a reddish thread-like appearance, and is a rich source of carotenoid antioxidants.Used since ancient times for a variety of medicinal purposes (saffron is known for its immune-boosting power, among others), in the modern day it is widely used in Persian, European, Indian and Turkish cooking, both for its unique sweet, grassy flavor and its ability to add vibrant yellow-orange color to foods.There are quite a few studies that reveal saffron's beneficial properties, and one of the most recent showed promise for treatment of mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease. In a 22-week, double-blind study of patients with Alzheimer's, a saffron supplement worked as well as the drug donepezil (brand name Aricept), but with significantly less vomiting experienced among the saffron group.The researchers noted:"This phase II study provides preliminary evidence of a possible therapeutic effect of saffron extract in the treatment of patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease."It is becoming increasingly clear that supplementing your diet with foods and supplements rich in a variety of compounds, such as vitamin E, folic acid, DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), and ALA (alpha-lipoic acid), may help reduce oxidative stress and delay the progression of age-related cognitive decline. And it appears saffron is no exception.Separate research has shown saffron to help prevent and treat dementia, and inhibit platelet aggregation (which can lead to blood clots) and lipid peroxidation (which causes cell damage). It's also known to have chemopreventive properties against cancer, which are also strongly associated with the common saffron alternative turmeric (which is often referred to as Indian saffron). While in China, Marco Polo in 1280 AD recorded information on turmeric in his diary:"There is also a vegetable which has all the properties of true saffron, as well the smell and the color, and yet it is not really saffron."So, turmeric has been used as a substitute for saffron (an old world spice) in Europe for over 700 years, and this spice has been found to have many of the same health advantages, including showing promise for Alzheimer's.If you've never tried saffron, the reason may be because it's earned the moniker "most expensive spice in the world." There are only three stigmas in each crocus flower, and it reportedly takes 80,000 flowers (about the number of plants on one acre of land) to produce one pound of saffron. Turmeric is much easier to come by and is also much less expensive, while offering many of the same potential health benefits, as well as the same characteristic yellow color.

Excellent value for the money. The strands of saffron came in a plastic capped tube within a sealed glass spice container. Lovely taste and fresh quality.

I was delighted to see the inside vial shown in the Amazon photo is actually full to the brim rather than half way as shown in the photo. The saffron is delicious and I believe you can never go wrong buying from McCormick as they sell fresh products. I truly am happy I purchased this product as one does not need to use but a pinch of saffron for any dish and there is quite a lot in the vial. If you are thinking of buying I would say go for it. i happen to be very happy I did.

Passes, flavor isn’t super strong

I bought this saffron because of the excellent price (around 25% less than most grocery stores). This saffron itself arrived well packaged by McCormick and I could tell that it was fresh as soon as I opened the jar. Now here's the thing about saffron: because it is so EXPENSIVE, there are some disreputable suppliers out there that will mix crocus stigmas (where real saffron comes from) with safflower stigmas that have been dyed red. How do you tell the difference? Well taste for one. Adulterated saffron has this stale, almost plastic-like taste. Another way is to mix a bit with a glass of water. The real stuff will turn the water BRIGHT yellow, while the cheap stuff turns it this murky yellow-orangeish color. McCormick? Bright, clear yellow-tinted water. Completely unadulterated. Great product, great buy. Highly recommended.

I just ordered this McCormick saffron and I can't wait to try it. It's a really good price on saffron. I like McCormick seasonings so I'm sure it will be good, fresh saffron. I like that it comes in a glass jar to maintain freshness. I use a lot of saffron so I need a good price on it.I hope Amazon keeps it at this price.4/29 Update: Saffron arrived yesterday. Sturdy glass jar containing saffron inside of a waxed paper packet which was inside of an envelope. Demonstrates care for delicate, expensive product. Expiration date on jar is for 2014, so very fresh. Looks and smells fresh.5/05/2010 Update: I have been using this saffron every day and I am really happy with it. It is potent and fresh and gives that beautiful yellow color to my grains. I use it in all my grains: rice, quinoa, barley, kasha. I use it in my curried cauliflower and potatoes too. Great deal on the world's most expensive spice!Subscribe & Save is a fantastic deal on this product.

I will say 3 jars for the cost of one really good one isn't bad. The quality, you get what you pay for. What I received had the smell and taste similar to what you smell when you burn plastic. Not very aromatic as i was expecting.

Granted, I live in a part of the world that has high grocery prices, but the price of saffron in the store (including this brand) is ridiculous. It saved me a considerable amount of money to order it from Amazon. There is no powder in the container, only intact stigmas, and the fragrance is lovely. The container itself has improved, now it's a hard plastic "test-tube" with a lid inside the spice bottle instead of a cellophane envelope. McCormick is a brand I trust, and once again that trust was well-placed. There are slightly less expensive options here on Amazon and elsewhere on the internet, but I'd much rather buy a brand I trust. Highly recommended.