Saffron Types and Picture Guide: Get to Know Every Variety

Saffron is also called fanhonghua or xihonghua (Crocus sativus). It is a very precious traditional Chinese medicinal herb that was introduced to China during the Ming Dynasty and is now mostly grown in the Zhejiang area. Saffron has certain therapeutic effects on phlegm, measles, stomach ailments and the like, but it generally needs to be taken under a doctor's guidance. Besides its medicinal use, saffron can also serve as a food flavoring and dye, because it contains some special substances that produce very beautiful colors when used for dyeing. The flowers that saffron produces have a distinctive fragrance, and it is often planted in flower beds or used in garden landscaping; nowadays some people also grow it in pots at home to accent their surroundings. Below, let's take a look at the saffron types and picture guide.

1. What types of saffron are there?

1. Dutch crocus

Dutch crocus is also called fanzihua. Its flowering period is in spring, and the flower color is generally light purple, with the edges rolled back and a touch of white in the middle, plus a layer of white powder on the back. Its anthers are yellow, and the stamens and style are three-lobed; it has strong medicinal value.

2. Yellow crocus

Yellow crocus has a relatively large corm, narrow linear leaves with rolled-back edges, bright yellow flowers, a branched style, and relatively small anthers; it is one of the spring-flowering varieties.

3. Early crocus

Early crocus has a relatively large corm, is blue-purple, and has four to six leaves. Its flowers are relatively large and cup-shaped, with a flowering period of one to three months. It is native to Italy and is one of the spring-flowering varieties.

4. Golden crocus

Golden crocus has a relatively small corm, golden-yellow flowers, and five to seven leaves. Its flowering period is about three months. It is native to Asia Minor and is one of the spring-flowering varieties.

5. Beautiful crocus

Beautiful crocus has a large corm and large flowers, with a long floral tube and an extremely long flowering period of about nine to ten months. It is one of the common ornamental varieties and also the largest of the autumn-flowering types.

2. How much does saffron cost per gram?

At present, saffron prices on the market vary. Imported saffron is relatively expensive, and the price of saffron bought through different channels also differs. At large pharmacies, for example, the retail price of saffron at Jiuzhitang pharmacies is generally 100-120 yuan/g, though prices at Jiuzhitang stores in different places vary slightly. Because small pharmacies often carry more fake saffron, their prices are not very useful as a reference. It is worth noting that Taobao also has quite a lot of fakes, so prices there are relatively lower, generally several dozen yuan per gram. Since there is a lot of fake saffron on the market, everyone is advised to pay special attention when buying saffron, so you don't spend money and still fail to get good goods.

There are also particular ways to consume saffron. Because it has a blood-activating effect and the effect is relatively obvious, it is generally recommended to drink it once every two to three days, and to use it cautiously when there is an obvious tendency to bleed. All foods have a shelf life, and saffron is no exception. Depending on the quality, the shelf life also differs: good-quality saffron can generally be stored for more than 2-3 years, while poorer-quality saffron has a shelf life of only a few months to about 1 year.