How long saffron last?
As one of the world’s oldest and most popular spices, saffron plays an important role in many cultures. A spice that is more than 3 thousand years old, this extraordinary spice can be traced back to ancient times.
Saffron from Iran currently boasts the highest quality in the world due to the conditions in which it is produced. There is something about this spice that makes it stand out, from its aroma, taste, and color. It is not possible to receive a special fragrance or color from saffron if the quality or durability of the herb is lost. In this regard, Saffron’s quality and durability must be taken into consideration.
When does saffron expire and How long saffron last?
Approximately four years after harvesting, saffron has lost more than half of its moisture and a lot of its properties have been lost.
Among the compounds in saffron is a combination called safranal. There is a compound called safranal in saffron that gives it its aroma. The compound in saffron is picrocrocin, which is a nonvolatile compound.
The longer saffron lives, the more picrocrocin it converts to safranal, and the poorer its quality becomes. When saffron is freshly harvested, it does not differ from used saffron until the first months following harvest. It becomes increasingly difficult to distinguish fresh saffron from old saffron as we move away from the saffron harvesting season. Saffron that has expired has a stronger aroma and a darker color than saffron which is still fresh.
Saffron expiration date
Even though saffron has a long shelf life, if it is stored properly, it can keep for up to four years. In the absence of the right storage conditions, saffron’s appearance may not change, but its properties will soon deteriorate. Such saffron has little coloring and fragrance power.
It is therefore important to pay attention to the correct way of storing saffron if you want to preserve its properties for a long time.
Saffron can be used for more than just cooking; it is also very effective for treating diseases. The therapeutic properties of this product are also affected by improper storage conditions. Consequently, saffron loses many of its therapeutic properties and medical benefits when it is dried. It loses its moisture content and chemical compounds such as pyroxene, safranal, and crocin as well.
The longer saffron lives, the more picrocrocin it converts to safranal, and the poorer its quality becomes. When saffron is freshly harvested, it does not differ from used saffron until the first months following harvest. It becomes increasingly difficult to distinguish fresh saffron from old saffron as we move away from the saffron harvesting season. Saffron that has expired has a stronger aroma and a darker color than saffron which is still fresh.
How to know saffron is expired
It is possible to categorize the differences between old and new saffron into three groups.
It is easier to use old saffron
Additionally, old saffron resumes its color sooner than young saffron.
An excellent distinction between fresh and dried saffron is its mild aroma and brighter color
Whenever you move away from the harvesting date of saffron, the color and smell of the spice will become darker and stronger.
Fresh saffron is very soft
You might think that fresh saffron isn’t dried because it looks wet.
It takes a while for the saffron strands to become fragile after harvesting has taken place. It takes a while for the saffron strands to become fragile after harvesting has taken place.
In time, it becomes more difficult to distinguish between fresh and old saffron since the difference between the two decreases.
▶ Suggested study: Saffron for depression
Storage of saffron
1. Dry the saffron
Whenever you buy fresh saffron, your first step is to dry it. To dry saffron,
Place the saffron strings on a paper towel or thin cloth and leave them in a warm, dry place. Saffron strands dry almost after a week.
2. Use a suitable container
Store saffron in a glass container away from air circulation. There must be a door on the container to prevent air from entering from the outside. Choose a container that minimizes air contact with the saffron. Saffron should not be stored in plastic containers, as this reduces its quality.
3. Avoid direct light
Light is very sensitive to saffron. It loses its color and aroma if exposed to a lot of light or direct light. Therefore, it is better to use a container that is not transparent and prevents light from entering. Also, put this container on a dark shelf.
4. Use a suitable shelf for storage
The best way to store saffron is on a dark shelf, as we mentioned earlier. In this case, choosing a cool shelf that is near a source of light and is close to the light would be the best choice for storing saffron. It is generally recommended to store saffron in cabinets. It is a good idea to store saffron in a wooden cabinet that is away from a gas stove or heat source if the cabinet is wooden.
5. Pay attention to the storage temperature of the environment
Storage of saffron is best at temperatures between 5 and 20 °C (40 and 68 °F). You should limit the amount of time saffron is stored in the refrigerator. When saffron is removed from the refrigerator, moisture is lost and temperature changes can cause strands to stick together and mold to grow. Refrigerators are only capable of preserving the quality of saffron for two weeks. This means that saffron should not be stored in this container.
last word
Saffron also expires and its expiration date completely depends on its storage conditions. Therefore, if you want to prolong the shelf life of saffron and maintain its quality over time, pay attention to the storage conditions. Therefore, if you want to prolong the shelf life of saffron and maintain its quality over time, pay attention to the storage conditions.
