Question

Saffron is
A. Stamens of Hibiscus
B. Style and stigma of Crocus plant
C. Roots of Indigofera
D. Petals of Musa

Answer 1

Hint: Saffron is used as the spice which is very expensive because the amount of labor in harvesting is very high. Saffron grows and is cultivated on a very high scale. It is harvested by hand.

Complete Answer:
- Saffron contains volatile oils which give the characteristic odor of the saffron.
- The saffron mainly comes out in the autumn season.
- The common or other name of the saffron is hay saffron and the main name is kesar.
- Geographically saffron is cultivated in India, Spain, France and Greece.
- Saffron obtained from the dried style and stigma of flower of the species crocus sativus.
- Dried style and the stigma of Crocus plants is used for making the spices.

So, the correct answer is saffron is the style and stigma of Crocus plants.

Additional information:
- Crocus sativu is also called saffron crocus.
- Saffron has a maximum of four flowers and three stigmas.
- Drying of the saffron can be done by putting the pistils on a sieve in a very well ventilated temperature between 40 to 60 degrees for 15 minutes.
- Family of saffron flowers is Iridaceae.
- The chemical constituents are croctin (for color), Picrocrocin (for taste) and safranal (for odor).

Note:
- Dried style and the stigma of Crocus plants is known as saffron threads.
- Fresh saffron is tasteless even if it is dried. So, that is why saffron needs to be stored for three years before use.