Reefgazer Posted July 2, 2014 Share Posted July 2, 2014 So I went to the store to buy saffron (I only needed a pinch) and couldn't find it in most stores. I finally found it in the local Harris Teeter, at $24 for a small vial. My eyes nearly popped! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zoobie Posted July 2, 2014 Share Posted July 2, 2014 Do you have Trader Joe's? They have it for the best price I've seen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tap Posted July 2, 2014 Share Posted July 2, 2014 yep! its expensives stuff. Our Trader Joes has it pretty reasonable and I sometimes see it at stores like TJ Maxx for under $10 for a few threads of it. But it is so expensive, unless I find it for pretty cheap, I just skip it in recipes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LucyStoner Posted July 2, 2014 Share Posted July 2, 2014 It's been that expensive for years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melissa in Australia Posted July 2, 2014 Share Posted July 2, 2014 if you look up how saffron is grown and harvested you will see why it is so expensive. Anything that requires people to go around with tweezers and pick a speck out of a flower that weighs practically nothing is bound to cost a lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IfIOnly Posted July 2, 2014 Share Posted July 2, 2014 Do you have Trader Joe's? They have it for the best price I've seen. :iagree: Brown rice made with saffron, chicken stock, butter, and salt is so good. My kids love it. Hope I'm not hijacking, but OP what are you needing the saffron for? I'm curious (and love a new meal idea)! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reefgazer Posted July 2, 2014 Author Share Posted July 2, 2014 I had no idea. if you look up how saffron is grown and harvested you will see why it is so expensive. Anything that requires people to go around with tweezers and pick a speck out of a flower that weighs practically nothing is bound to cost a lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reefgazer Posted July 2, 2014 Author Share Posted July 2, 2014 I found a recipe for Chicken biryani and it looked delicious, so it's what's for dinner tomorrow night. :iagree: Brown rice made with saffron, chicken stock, butter, and salt is so good. My kids love it. Hope I'm not hijacking, but OP what are you needing the saffron for? I'm curious (and love a new meal idea)! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reefgazer Posted July 2, 2014 Author Share Posted July 2, 2014 We do have a Trader Joe's, but I don't get there often because it's about a 45 minute drive and I'm too cheap to lay out the gas money for the trip; so I only get there when I am down that way. But apparently, gas is cheaper than saffron, LOL! yep! its expensives stuff. Our Trader Joes has it pretty reasonable and I sometimes see it at stores like TJ Maxx for under $10 for a few threads of it. But it is so expensive, unless I find it for pretty cheap, I just skip it in recipes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IfIOnly Posted July 2, 2014 Share Posted July 2, 2014 I found a recipe for Chicken biryani and it looked delicious, so it's what's for dinner tomorrow night. I just Googled and found this, and it looks incredibly yummy. We love Indian and other Middle Eastern foods here, and I'm so trying this soon. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
umsami Posted July 2, 2014 Share Posted July 2, 2014 Badia sometimes has it in their spice rack (if your store carries them.) A lot of times you can substitute turmeric for the yellow color, but it's not the same flavor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Audrey Posted July 2, 2014 Share Posted July 2, 2014 It is pricey, yes, but you only use a very little bit. I can find Spanish saffron for about $8 per half gram, but I have to be in the City for that. I go about once a month for work, so I will make a point to stop. FWIW, a half gram is 4-5 dishes worth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chiguirre Posted July 2, 2014 Share Posted July 2, 2014 Look for Sazon Goya con Azafran if you have a Goya or ethnic section in your grocery store. It's a smallish yellow and orange box with envelopes inside. The one I have is only labeled in Spanish, so it might be hard to come by in some areas. I'm sure it doesn't have much saffron, but it is listed as an ingredient. It works well for arroz con pollo (and paella, which my kids won't eat so I've never made). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cammie Posted July 2, 2014 Share Posted July 2, 2014 Yup. When we were in Dubai last year we went to the spice market - oh my goodness, like stepping back in time! Even there it was still expensive. To get one pound of saffron, they have to harvest 50,000-75,000 flowers!!! We do use it a bit in our Indian cooking and even some sweet dishes. Always seems to me it is more for the look and color than for the taste. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leav97 Posted July 2, 2014 Share Posted July 2, 2014 Costco had it over Christmas. If it's something you use, it might be worth stocking up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luckymama Posted July 2, 2014 Share Posted July 2, 2014 I keep wanting to pick it up for things like paella and saffron chicken but I just can't bring myself to spend the money. One day when I'm filling a Penzey's or Mountain Rose Herb order I WILL bite the bulletin and toss some in my cart. But until then I'll just keep thinking about it and cringing ;) We added it to our last Penzey's order :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kewb Posted July 2, 2014 Share Posted July 2, 2014 It is expensive but a little goes a long way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katy Posted July 2, 2014 Share Posted July 2, 2014 I saw some fairly inexpensively at a little Mexican grocery store once. There were maybe ten threads of saffron mixed in with other random dried yellow petals, and I think the whole package was less than $10. It made my saffron rice smell and taste exactly the same as the expensive kind did, if it was fake. You might look for that if you have an imported foods grocer near you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reefgazer Posted July 2, 2014 Author Share Posted July 2, 2014 Yes, that's the recipe I found and am making; it looks delicious! I just Googled and found this, and it looks incredibly yummy. We love Indian and other Middle Eastern foods here, and I'm so trying this soon. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reefgazer Posted July 2, 2014 Author Share Posted July 2, 2014 I would have loved to have seen that. What an experience, I bet! Yup. When we were in Dubai last year we went to the spice market - oh my goodness, like stepping back in time! Even there it was still expensive. To get one pound of saffron, they have to harvest 50,000-75,000 flowers!!! We do use it a bit in our Indian cooking and even some sweet dishes. Always seems to me it is more for the look and color than for the taste. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiMi 4under3 Posted July 2, 2014 Share Posted July 2, 2014 Yes, the $$ of saffron is why we use turmeric instead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amira Posted July 2, 2014 Share Posted July 2, 2014 Yes, the $$ of saffron is why we use turmeric instead. We're turmeric users too. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alessandra Posted July 2, 2014 Share Posted July 2, 2014 I tend to be a turmeric user too. That said, I would look at buying online, checking websites like saffron.com, googling 'buy saffron online.' I bought vanilla beans online and found the prices were significantly less than in stores, so online is tempting for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenmom5 Posted July 2, 2014 Share Posted July 2, 2014 depending upon where you live - you can grow saffron crocus yourself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KungFuPanda Posted July 3, 2014 Share Posted July 3, 2014 depending upon where you live - you can grow saffron crocus yourself. WHAT? Where will they grow? I never thought of this. I can grow regular crocuses like there's no tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reefgazer Posted July 3, 2014 Author Share Posted July 3, 2014 OK, peeps, this chicken biryani dish was a major hit! The family and a few friends devoured it like there was no tomorrow. It took a long time to make, but was well worth it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosie_0801 Posted July 3, 2014 Share Posted July 3, 2014 My friends have relatives in Iran who bring back packets for $1! I never thought I could taste the stuff, so had given up even trying to use it, but while I can't taste it in rice (turmeric all the way, baby) I can taste it in sugar syrup. I can't seem to taste bay leaves either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kalmia Posted July 3, 2014 Share Posted July 3, 2014 You can grow your own saffron! http://www.vegetablegardener.com/item/2405/how-to-grow-saffron/page/all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IfIOnly Posted July 3, 2014 Share Posted July 3, 2014 OK, peeps, this chicken biryani dish was a major hit! The family and a few friends devoured it like there was no tomorrow. It took a long time to make, but was well worth it! Nice! Thanks for letting us know! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.