Saffron has moved from the spice rack into the supplement aisle. Standardised saffron extracts now appear in mood, sleep and wellbeing formulas in the US, UK and Europe, and interest is growing in Latin America too. The catch is obvious: saffron is the most expensive spice in the world, which makes it one of the most adulterated. Buying a saffron extract safely depends almost entirely on testing.
Key takeaways
- Saffron is the dried stigma of Crocus sativus; its key compounds are crocins (colour), picrocrocin (taste) and safranal (aroma).
- Extracts are standardised to crocins, safranal or both. The test method must be on the specification.
- Common adulterants include safflower, marigold, dyed corn silk, turmeric and synthetic dyes.
- A price far below the market is the clearest warning sign.
Saffron basics
Each Crocus sativus flower gives just three red stigmas, picked by hand, so it takes well over a hundred thousand flowers to make a kilo. Iran grows most of the world's saffron, with smaller crops in Spain, Kashmir in India, Afghanistan and Greece. Supplements use extracts concentrated from the stigmas, and most clinical studies have used around 30 mg of standardised extract a day.
Grades, standards and markers
| Compound | What it does | Why buyers care |
|---|---|---|
| Crocins | Give the deep red-yellow colour | Common marker for extracts and colour strength |
| Picrocrocin | Gives the bitter taste | Part of the ISO quality profile |
| Safranal | Gives the aroma | Common marker for standardised extracts |
For saffron threads and powder, ISO 3632 grades quality by colouring strength, bitterness and aroma, along with purity tests. Extracts are usually specified by crocin or safranal content, measured by HPLC or by spectrophotometry. Agree which before you compare quotes.
Adulteration: what goes wrong
- Mixing in look-alike plant parts such as safflower or marigold petals, or dyed corn silk.
- Adding turmeric or paprika to saffron powder for colour.
- Spiking extracts with synthetic dyes to raise the apparent crocin figure.
- Diluting extracts with carriers without declaring them.
The ABC-AHP-NCNPR Botanical Adulterants Prevention Program tracks problems like these across many botanicals; see our identity testing guide.
Considering a saffron extract? Ask for the specification and testing details.
Request SpecsHow buyers test saffron
- HPLC profile of crocins, picrocrocin and safranal, which shows the pattern real saffron produces.
- Synthetic dye screening for colour-boosted material.
- Identity of the source material, with origin stated.
- Heavy metals, pesticides and microbiology per batch.
- Carrier declaration for powdered extracts.
Buyer checklist
- Crocus sativus stigma stated, with origin
- Marker content (crocins, safranal or both) and method
- HPLC fingerprint and dye screening
- Carrier and excipients declared
- Price checked against the realistic market range
Saffron is a food in every major market, but extract doses and claims still need checking for the US, UK, EU and Brazil.
With saffron, the cheapest quote is rarely a bargain. It is usually a different product.
Saffron and Wellness Botanicals
Saffron extract and botanicals often used alongside it in wellness formulas, with a certificate of analysis for every batch.
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View ProductSaffron extract from Arizone
Arizone International LLP supplies saffron extract to supplement brands outside India, as a powder or liquid extract to your specification. Tell us the marker and method you need and we'll confirm what we can document before you order. Every batch ships with a certificate of analysis.
Sources: ABC-AHP-NCNPR Botanical Adulterants Prevention Program; 21 CFR 111.75.
Saffron Extract Questions
Usually crocins, safranal or both. The specification should state the marker and the test method.
It is the most expensive spice by weight, so cheaper plant parts, turmeric or synthetic dyes are sometimes added.
Saffron threads and powder are graded under ISO 3632 by colour, bitterness, aroma and purity. Extracts are specified by marker content.
Iran grows most of the world's saffron, with smaller crops in Spain, Kashmir, Afghanistan and Greece.
Most clinical studies have used around 30 mg of standardised extract a day. Check the limits in your market.