Question

From which of the following saffron is produced?
(a) Stamens of Hibiscus
(b) Style and stigma of Crocus
(c) Roots of Indigofera
(d) Stem of Musa

Answer 1

Hint: The plant bears colored violet flowers and typically grows in cold areas. The female reproductive part of the flower is important in the production and the plant is highly cultivated in Iran.
Complete answer:
Saffron is obtained from the Crocus sativus flower, commonly known as the 'saffron crocus.' Crocus is a genus within the Iridaceae family. 'Saffron crocus' grows to 20-30 cm tall and bears up to four flowers, each with three vivid crimson stigmas, the distal end of a carpel. The styles and stigmas are collected and dried to be used primarily in food as a seasoning and coloring agent.
Additional information:
It is one of the oldest spices, and one of the most expensive in the world. It takes around one and a half million flowers to make one kilogram of true saffron.
Saffron is largely manually grown and harvested. Saffron is considered one of the most expensive spices in the world, due to the amount of labor involved in harvesting. The stigmas, and occasionally the petals, are also used to make medicine. It is a powerful antioxidant.
At present saffron is produced commercially in various countries like Iran, Kashmir, Italy, Spain, Morocco, and Greece.

So, the correct answer is, ‘Style and stigma of Crocus’.

Note: It is a rich riboflavin source, and contains a reddish yellow pigment, crocin. Shahi zafran is the finest quality of saffron which is obtained from the red tips of the stigmas and is the most expensive spice in the world. The remaining component of the stigmas is inferior quality saffron.