The 'Saffron Town' Of India Provides World With The Most Expensive Spice

A SMALL town in Kashmir, India provides the world with the most expensive spice

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Pampore is world famous for it's high quality saffron

Known as the ‘Saffron Town of Kashmir,’ Pampore in Kashmir boasts thousands of hectares of land used for the saffron cultivation.

Saffron is derived from the flower of Crocus sativus

Saffron is grown commercially in Spain, Kashmir and Iran. But the Kashmir variety is considered the best - and the most expensive - with one kilogram of dry Mongra saffron costs around £2,250.

The flowers bloom for around two weeks in early November

Saffron field-owner Ghulam Rasool said: “Our saffron is the most expensive one. It is known for its aroma.

A kilogram of Mongra saffron is worth over £2,000

I have customers from all over the world.

“This is not only used in cooking, but also extensively in medicines."

The harvesting of saffron begins in the last week of October and continues for six weeks.

People of all ages get involved in the saffron harvest, from collecting the flowers to wrapping the blooms in a cotton sheet and taking it home

The spice is also used for colouring and flavouring a popular Kashmiri sweet hot beverage – Kehwa.

Arif Shah who sells saffron in Kashmir said: “There are three types of saffron: Mongra, the costlier one. Lacha is second costlier and purest one. The third type is Zarda – the cheaper one."

The spice is valued all over the world and used in curries, stews and seafood dishes

The production of saffron plays an important role in the economy of Jammu and Kashmir. It is the second largest industry in the state next to horticulture.