Central Asia

Saffron

Crocus sativus.

Dried stigma.

Part Used

Dried threads.

Form

Za'faran (regional term shared with Persian).

Some Central Asian cultivation, though most regional saffron is imported from Iran or Afghanistan.

Earthy, honeyed, deep golden color payoff.

Color and aroma for festive rice dishes.

Special-occasion plov variants; festive rice pilafs.

Rice, dried fruit, cumin.

Steep in warm water before adding.

Keeps 2+ years sealed, dark, and dry.

Turmeric for color only.

Used more sparingly and for more special-occasion dishes in Central Asia than in Iran itself, reflecting cost and import dependency.

Not typically ground into blends; used as whole threads.