Alma GourmetAltaj Premium Spanish Saffron Threads Spice 1 Ounce Tin

I’m a saffron snob. This is my go to saffron. Only Spanish saffron for me. It is the richest in flavor.

First this is Spanish La Mancha Saffron, grown in Spain, by far the majority of the saffron we see here in the US. Although the Blue Crocus flower is native to Iran and not Spain the best saffron is considered to be this from La Mancha. Now as for the grading system the main difference between grades is how many long yellow "styles" are attached to the stigmas which is saffron. Pure stigma saffron (basically no yellow styles) is the best quality.This is deep bright red Spanish saffron indicating very high crocin. The best indication of grade is the "Superior Quality" label which is the translation of the Spanish "Coupe". There are just a few styles. Bottom line you might find a more purebred saffron for a higher price. But this is a very high quality product at an unbeatable price from the best growing region in the world. The flowers here would seem to grow under the natural conditions the best, perhaps avoiding any kind of chemical alteration.

Price us good and product is as expected

SEE UPDATE FOR JULY 26, 2013-WRITTEN BELOW BEFORE READING THIS, PLEASE...I have been buying 1-gram bottles from a local store for the last year or so, and while I paid a premium at the time, it gave me an idea of what excellent high quality saffron should be all about. At the price I was paying, however, if I bought a whole ounce over time, it would have added up to over $500!!! And that was for the plain Spanish Saffron. However, I must emphasize I am only a beginner.So, needless to say, when I received this saffron thru Amazon, I was extremely pleased by the beckoning scent, and the deep, almost burgundy red strands I could see when I opened the tin.IT SPECIFICALLY STATES "Spanish 'COUPE' Quality Saffron Filaments", on the package which is consistent with the higher, pure saffron filament collection, which is deep red, almost burgundy (no yellow or orange), and highly aromatic. Packaged in 2013, so does this mean it's the Spring crop? So soon?This has, according to the information on the tin, an 8 year shelf life(!?), (I am certain mine will be gone well before). My research has also suggested that saffron should be kept in an airtight container, in a dry, cool, dark place. I also read that as long as the threads themselves remain dry, the storage bottles used can also be stored in the refrigerator, which is what I plan to do.I am SO looking forward to cooking with this!!!Just a note: While saffron is highly tasty with long grain white basmati rice, I have found that it is even good with the basmati brown rice, if you are trying to add fiber, and avoid the higher glycemic starches found in white rice.Update: June 11, 2013I took a closer look at my regular spanish saffron from my other spice store purchases, and did happen to notice some yellow and orange inclusions! So I thought maybe I should take a better look at this latest 1-ounce purchase here, and, although there were far far far less orange inclusions, there were quite a few (no yellow, though, that I could see).I am cooking with it now, have let it set in some sherry to pull out the color and flavor. It may be that this is the Spring 2013 crop, because the filaments do not feel completely dry? I am thinking that since my air-conditioning unit keeps my apartment extremely dry, I might just let the package stay open a few hours to air out, although I have never heard or read of anyone doing this to attempt to 'dry out' filaments that do not crumble properly when rubbed between the fingers? Maybe I can add a moisture absorbing product of some sort instead? I lowered the five star to four star for this reason. If the taste turns out to be really good in spite of this, I will raise the rating again.(I will get back to comment about how good my rice dish turns out later).I am open to read anyone's comments, please...UPDATE-JULY 26, 2013!!!SINCE RECEIVING THIS PRODUCT, I HAVE COME TO DISCOVER THAT IT IS ACTUALLY MUCH MORE LIKE "SUPERIOR SPANISH SAFFRON', BUT WITH MANY MORE ORANGE STAMENS THAN I FIRST COULD SEE DUE TO THE DENSITY OF THE PACKAGE...ALSOREAL 'SPANISH COUPE' (WHICH THIS IS NOT) HAS A DEEPER RED COLOR AND HAS FAR LESS ORANGE STAMENS, AND...KASHMIR SAFFRON HAS NO ORANGE STAMENS AT ALL AND IS BURGUNDY IN COLOR. (IT IS CONSIDERED THE VERY BEST, AND IS VERY PRICEY AS A RULE).WHILE THE PRICE OF THIS BRAND 'LA MANCHA SAFFRON' IS EXCELLENT FOR A 'REGULAR' SPANISH SAFFRON, IT IS NOT THE BEST QUALITY...IT IS AVERAGE, BUT IT IS STILL TASTY, SO I WON'T BE SENDING IT BACK...

It has less than 10% real saffron threads. Rest are fake. I tested three brands, this and Altaj brands are the worst. Altaj has only 1% real saffron threads. The Gathering has may be 50% real threads. I soaked each one in equal amount of water and waited for an hour. The gathering had threads , 50% remained red and settled at bottom, whereas the other two brands threads floated on top and after a while, all turned white, with 1-2 threads red. No taste at all. The baking soda test also revealed colored water and white threads of both Altaj and Alma. I am sending it back. I used Gathering for years and it used to be a very good quality but lately, it also has mixture of fake threads but not s much as the other two brands. Now a days, they all add fake colored threads, not the real saffron.

Got the product on time and seems fine. Well packaged.

If you know Safran, you should note that it's very aromatic but also bitter to taste. While grounding it to a find powder, you must use a small sugar cube to counter the slight bitterness. If you're cooking with this, you won't taste the sugar, but a small amount is necessary.

Alma is not sending same meterial.every time different.i spent lot of sorry. Thks.money.the quality he send does not melt in milk.not happy.