What is Negin Saffron?
Negin saffron is a particular grade of saffron with long, thick, all-red stigmas. Negin in Persian means “jewel” or “gem”, which is a very apt description for this particular and highly sought-after saffron. This product is the most processed and refined saffron, leaving only the strongest, most visually pleasing parts of the stigma intact. Due to the high demand worldwide, Negin saffron is desirable due to its uniform aesthetic appearance and strong colouring power.
read more: What is Saffron?
Negin saffron is prepared by separating the deep red stigmas from the yellow and white parts of the style of the saffron flower. Non-red parts are absent from Negin saffron, leaving only the deeply colored portion of the flower, creating a more condensed product with consistent colouring. The intricate hand-processing of this saffron has made it one of the highest grades on the market, hence its higher price. The full-bodied appearance and intense aromatics are typical characteristics of this type of saffron. If you have ever wondered what Negin saffron is, this guide is for you.
How is Negin Saffron graded?
Quality of saffron, including Negin saffron, is measured according to the international standard ISO 3632. Saffron is sorted into categories (I, II, III) based on spectrophotometric measurements of the chemical markers for colouring strength (crocin), flavour (picrocrocin), and aroma (safranal). Negin saffron is always of ISO Category I, the highest quality, because it has higher levels of these chemical markers. A higher crocin value, above 250 units, indicates stronger colouring power. This standardized grading system can objectively assess the quality of Negin saffron.
Grade One:
High quality (long, thick, unbroken, deep red stigmas), high colouring strength, and a minimum of yellow or orange parts. A more uniform shape and wavy appearance contribute to a more premium look and grade, generally categorized with higher quality Negin or Super Negin.
Grade Two:
Somewhat shorter or thinner stigmas, broken particles are allowed but only in a small amount, slightly weaker but still strong colouring. Threads may have some slight variation in shape and appearance.
Grade Three:
Higher percentage of broken particles and shorter, thinner stigmas. It can include more yellow or orange filament parts. Lower colouring strength and less uniform shape.
Grades can help determine the market value of saffron as well as its intended use, with Grade One used for the highest quality in culinary and export saffron products, and lower grades more often used for everyday cooking or commercial purposes.
How does ISO 3632 classify saffron quality?
ISO 3632 classifies saffron quality based on laboratory analysis of three main compounds: crocin (colour strength), picrocrocin (bitterness), and safranal (aroma), as well as moisture and extraneous matter content.
| Category | Crocin Colourr) | Picrocrocin (Bitter) | Safranal (Aroma) | Moisture* | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | ≥200 | ≥70 | 20–50 | <12% | Highest quality |
| II | 170–199 | 55–69 | 20–50 | <12% | High quality |
| III | 120–169 | 40–54 | 20–50 | <12% | Acceptable quality |
| IV† | <120 | <40 | <20 or >50 | <12% | Lowest quality† |
Negin Saffron Uses
Negin saffron is widely valued for its versatility and rich qualities, making it suitable for a variety of uses, such as:
-
Cooking: Adds intense colour, aroma, and flavour to traditional dishes like Persian rice preparations, Indian biryani, and Spanish paella. It is also used in soups, stews, and sauces to enhance taste and colour.
-
Desserts: Commonly infused in sweets such as ice cream, cakes, puddings (e.g., Sholleh Zard), and pastries to add a unique, floral-earthy flavour and vibrant colour.
-
Beverages: Used in teas and infused milk drinks for its soothing aroma and health benefits.
-
Natural Food Colouring: Its bright red threads make it a natural colouring agent in syrups, sauces, dairy products, and confectionery.
-
Traditional Medicine: Valued for antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, mood-enhancing, and possible anticancer properties, Negin saffron has health applications beyond culinary uses.
Negin saffron stands out for its thick, long, and uniform red threads, pungent aroma, and strong colour, making it preferred for premium gastronomy and wellness products.
What’s the Best Way to Use Negin Saffron?
The recommended method for maximizing the release of flavour, colour, and aroma from Negin saffron is as follows:
- Infusion: Lightly crush the desired amount of Negin saffron threads using a mortar and pestle, or place them in a small bowl.
- Liquid Addition: Pour 2-3 tablespoons of warm (not boiling) water, milk, or broth over the crushed saffron threads.
- Steeping: Allow the saffron to steep for at least 10-15 minutes. For a more intense colour and flavour, you can steep it for up to 30 minutes or even overnight in the refrigerator. The liquid will gradually take on a rich golden-orange hue.
- Application in Cooking: Add the saffron-infused liquid and threads to your dish towards the end of the cooking process. This helps retain the volatile aromatic compounds and ensures a more even distribution of colour and flavour.
Negin Saffron Characteristics
Negin saffron is characterized by distinct physical and chemical properties that contribute to its high quality and desirability in culinary, aromatic, and traditional uses. Exploring these properties provides a clearer understanding of what Negin saffron is.
Appearance: Negin saffron threads are long, thick, and fully intact, exhibiting a uniform deep red colour. The threads lack any yellow or orange hues, indicating purity. Each thread is a complete stigma, resulting in an elegant presentation. The visual consistency of Negin saffron is a direct result of its specialized processing methods.
Negin saffron is known for high levels of the three primary chemical compounds found in saffron:
Crocin: A carotenoid compound that imparts saffron’s colouring strength. Negin grades exhibit high crocin content, resulting in vivid yellow-orange tinctures.
Picrocrocin: A glycoside compound that gives saffron its characteristic bitter flavour, an essential component of its complex taste profile.
Safranal: A volatile aldehyde compound that is the primary component of saffron’s distinctive aroma. Negin saffron offers a powerful, complex fragrance due to its high safranal content.
Negin Saffron Quality
The overall quality of Negin saffron is determined not only by its chemical composition but also by its physical integrity and purity. High-quality Negin will present with minimal broken threads and be free from extraneous matter such as dust, pollen, or other plant fragments. The consistent length, thickness, and deep red colour are critical visual indicators. A strong, complex aroma immediately upon opening the packaging further verifies its authenticity and freshness. This commitment to quality ensures that, when sourcing Negin saffron, one acquires a product of exceptional quality.
Types of Negin Saffron
Here is a comparison table based on the types of Negin saffron and their characteristics:
| Type | Appearance | Thread Thickness & Length | Colour and Aroma | Potency & Quality | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regular Negin Saffron | Long, thick, all-red threads | Thick but slightly shorter than Super Negin | Deep red with minimal yellow; strong aroma | High colouring strength; robust flavour | Premium cooking and general use |
| Super Negin Saffron | Longest, thickest, perfectly trimmed all-red strands | Exceptionally thick and long (2-3 cm or more) | Deep crimson; highly potent aroma and flavour | Highest concentration of crocin, safranal, picrocrocin | Gourmet dishes, luxury markets |
| Pressed Negin Saffron | Threads that are compressed/flattened during processing | Flat, smooth threads | Good colour and aroma | Quality varies, unique texture | Specialty culinary or crafted products |
Negin Saffron vs Other Types of Saffron
To fully comprehend what Negin saffron is, it is beneficial to compare it with other common saffron grades available on the market. These grades primarily differ based on the presence and extent of the yellow and orange style portions still attached to the red stigmas.
read more: type of iranin saffron
Dasteh (Bunch Saffron): Includes all of the saffron threads with the red stigma and a large proportion of the yellow style attached. It is often knotted into bunches. Dasteh has a more natural appearance but is of lower colouring strength due to the non-red parts. Dasteh is mostly used in sweet preparations and infusions where a milder aroma is desired.
Pushal Saffron: Pushal is red stigmas with a small bit (1–3 mm) of yellow style attached. This is an intermediate grade that provides better colouring and strength than Dasteh. The amount of yellow style attached can be used to verify authenticity. Pushal is commonly used in more saffron-flavoured dishes where lower cost is balanced against quality.
Sargol Saffron: Sargol is literally translated as “top of the flower”. Saffron threads of the Sargol type are the purest in that they are only red stigma tips with no yellow style. It has a strong colouring power and aroma, but the threads are usually shorter and more broken than Negin.
Negin Saffron: Negin saffron has long, thick threads that are entirely red with no yellow or orange. It has the purity and colouring potency of Sargol, but with longer, intact threads. Negin thus has a more attractive appearance and higher potency than Sargol. The process of trimming the threads, which increases the amount of pure saffron, also increases the visual and quality appeal. Negin is the most common high-quality saffron type used in export and gourmet cooking.
Checking specifications and buy saffron negin
| Grade | Thread Composition | Thread Length & Integrity | Color Strength | Aroma & Flavor | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dasteh | Full stigma + yellow style | Natural bundles, less trimmed | Lower due to the yellow parts | Mild | Traditional sweets, infusions |
| Pushal | Red stigmas + small yellow | Moderate length, some yellow | Moderate | Balanced | Everyday cooking, good value option |
| Sargol | Pure red stigma tips | Shorter, fragmented threads | High | Strong | Culinary use needs strongcolourr |
| Negin | Pure long red threads | Long, thick, intact | Very high | Rich, full-bodied | Premium culinary, export, high-end |
Negin Saffron vs. Super Negin Saffron
Negin saffron is a type of premium saffron with long and thick, all-red threads and no yellow or orange parts. It has a strong aroma, a bright colour, and a high proportion of intact threads.
Super Negin saffron is an even higher-quality saffron with longer, thicker threads than Negin saffron, a darker crimson red colour, and a sweet, very distinctive aroma. Super Negin saffron is almost completely free of crumbs, broken threads, and yellow parts because of the more stringent selection and trimming criteria used during processing. It has an extremely high level of purity, potency, and aesthetic appeal.
Super Negin is one of the highest-quality, most luxurious saffron grades you can purchase. Super Negin has the following traits that make it different from Negin saffron:
It has thicker and longer strands that can be up to 2-3 cm in length,
It has a darker, more crimson colour,
Its aroma is stronger and sweeter,
It is completely free of any impurities and yellow parts,
It costs more than Negin saffron.
Negin and Super Negin are two of the most expensive saffron grades. Super Negin is a more refined and luxurious version of Negin. Super Negin saffron is mainly used for gourmet, high-end cooking and special export markets that require the highest quality and exclusivity, while Negin is an excellent, high-quality saffron that can be used for both premium cooking and everyday luxury.
How to Store Negin Saffron?
To maintain the strength, aroma, and overall quality of Negin saffron, it’s important to store it properly. Keep it in an airtight container, such as a glass jar or a food-grade metal tin, to prevent moisture absorption and to protect its delicate aromatic compounds. Store it in a cool, dark place, away from direct sunlight, heat, and strong odours, like a pantry or cupboard. Refrigeration is not necessary for regular use and can introduce moisture unless the saffron is stored long-term in a perfectly sealed container. If refrigerating saffron, it’s advisable to bring it back to room temperature before opening to prevent condensation. Under proper storage conditions, Negin saffron can retain its quality, colour, or vibrancy for up to two years. However, its aroma and flavour are often at their peak within the first year of storage. Improper storage, especially exposure to light, heat, or moisture, can hasten the degradation of its valuable properties.
Negin Saffron Price
Where to Buy Negin Saffron?
When purchasing Negin saffron, it is essential to choose a trusted source to ensure the product’s purity, quality, and authenticity. This is particularly important in the saffron industry, where adulteration is common. A reliable source can help guarantee that the saffron is genuine and of high quality.
One such source is Esfedan Group, Iran’s largest saffron processing center since 1998. Esfedan has been recognized as one of the best saffron exporters, with 21 national awards, and is involved in every aspect of the production process —from cultivation and harvesting to sophisticated processing, drying, and packaging. Their facilities cover over 14,000 square meters and are equipped with modern technology to provide unrivalled quality and freshness. Esfedan meets international certifications and standards, including ISO 22000, FSSC 22000, HACCP, and HALAL, ensuring customers receive a safe, reliable, and premium source of Iranian saffron. Purchasing from Esfedan means partnering with an industry leader committed to excellence and authenticity in saffron production.
Buying in “bulk” also comes with greater responsibility, and extra care should be taken to ensure the product’s quality. It is recommended to request samples and recent lab reports, and to thoroughly vet the supplier before purchasing a large quantity. It’s worth investing the time and effort to find a reliable source so that the Negin saffron you buy truly lives up to its reputation for exceptional quality.
Conclusion: What is Negin Saffron?
Negin saffron stands as a premium grade in the global saffron market, distinguished by its long, thick, all-red threads, superior colour strength, and potent aroma and flavour profile. This high-grade saffron is the product of meticulous hand-harvesting and a stringent trimming process that meticulously removes all yellow and orange style parts, thereby ensuring maximum purity and aesthetic appeal. Although typically priced higher due to itlabour-intensiveve production and superior characteristics, Negin saffron offers unparalleled value in terms of culinary performance and reliability. Proper storage in an airtight, cool, and dark container is essential to maintain its quality and potency over time. Consumers are strongly advised to purchase Negin saffron from reputable sources, verifying authenticity through visual inspection, aroma assessment, and adherence to ISO standards, to ensure they acquire a genuine, impactful product.
