Taliouine saffron: how to recognise real saffron and use it
The signs of real saffron, how it differs from fake saffron, and how to use Taliouine saffron in tagines and Moroccan dishes.
Saffron is the most expensive spice in the world: each flower gives only three threads, picked by hand. Taliouine, in the Souss-Massa region, is one of Morocco's best-known saffron lands.
Signs of real saffron
- Shape: thin red threads, whose wide end flares into a small funnel.
- Colour in water: drop a thread into warm water. Real saffron slowly releases a golden colour and the thread stays red. A thread that loses its colour fast and turns white should make you wary.
- Smell: strong and distinctive; the taste is slightly bitter, never sweet.
- Price: very cheap saffron should raise doubts.
How to use it
- Soak a few threads in two spoonfuls of warm water for 15 minutes, then add the water and threads to the dish.
- A little is enough: a few threads flavour a family tagine.
- In tagines, couscous, rice and some pastries.
How to store it
In a closed box, in a cool place away from light and moisture.
Taliouine saffron is hand-picked and carefully dried, at 35 DH. Cash on delivery, delivered to every city in Morocco.