Aromatic, sweet with a vivid colour steeped in culture, saffron is so much more than just the world's most expensive spice

1. Saffron is often used as a fabric dye and also used in perfumery, hair dye, body wash and herbal medicine
2. Saffron contains crocetin which is a type of acid, giving the spice the typical orange-red colour
3. Sometimes dyed vegetables or plant fibres are added to saffron, making it impure
4. Iran produces more than 90% of the world’s saffron, most of which is exported
5. To make 1 gram of dried saffron takes approximately 150 flowers, making it the most expensive spice in the world
6. Deep saffron is the same colour as the top layer of the Indian National Flag. This represents courage, sacrifice, patriotism and renunciation
7. Safron is believed to help with ailments such as indigestion, high blood pressure and gastrointestinal issues
8. Saffron is very expensive and can be sold for up to US$11,000 (Dhs40,370) per kilogram
9. Saffron comes from the stigmas on the purple flower of the Crocus sativus plant. Each flower contains three stigmas that are handpicked then dried
10. Saffron is typically prepared by soaking the spice in hot water to release the flavour before adding to other ingredients