Saffron

Saffron is the world's most expensive and rarest spice. Taken from the dried stigmas of the purple saffron crocus, it takes anywhere from 70,000 to 200,000 flowers to make one pound of saffron. The flowers are individually hand-picked, in the autumn, when fully open. Fortunately, only small pinch of Saffron needs to be added to a dish to lend it color and aroma.