Smart saffron buyer
Five short lessons and a test: tell the grades apart, spot fakes, read a lab report, understand the price and keep saffron at its best.
- Beginner
- Lessons: 5
- About 15 min of reading
- Test: 8 questions
Your progress is kept in your account and the certificate is issued in your name. Signing up is free.
In this course you’ll learn to
- Tell Negin, Sargol, Pushal and Bunch apart
- Spot fake saffron with simple home tests
- Read a lab report and compare prices fairly
- Store saffron so it keeps its colour and aroma
Lessons
- 1
Lesson 1 · 4 min read
Negin, Sargol or Pushal? The complete guide to saffron gradesHow saffron grades differ in look, quality, use and price — and which one to buy for each purpose.
- 2
Lesson 2 · 3 min read
7 ways to tell real saffron from fakeFrom the water test to inspecting the threads — simple checks you can do at home, and the one test that leaves no doubt.
- 3
Lesson 3 · 3 min read
Crocin, safranal and picrocrocin: the science of saffron’s colour, aroma and tasteThe three molecules that make saffron’s quality, how they are measured, and how to read a saffron lab report.
- 4
Lesson 4 · 3 min read
What determines the price of saffron?The commodity exchange, the dollar rate, the harvest season, the weather and export demand — five forces that move the price of saffron.
- 5
Lesson 5 · 2 min read
Storing saffron: 8 rules to keep its colour and aromaLight, air, moisture and heat are saffron’s four enemies. Follow these eight rules and your saffron stays fresh for up to two years.
Final test
8 questions; 75% right answers pass.
The test opens once you have read every lesson.