What is the most expensive spice?
Saffron is the most expensive spice in the world by weight, often costing thousands of dollars per kilogram, because it is harvested by hand from crocus flowers.
Each saffron crocus flower produces only three red threads, called stigmas. Workers pick the flowers by hand in autumn and carefully remove the threads. It takes roughly 150,000 flowers to make one kilogram of dried saffron.
Vanilla is usually the second most expensive spice. Vanilla orchids must be pollinated by hand in most places where they are grown, and the pods need months of curing.
Watch out for fakes
Because saffron is so valuable, it is often faked with dyed corn silk, safflower petals or other materials. Real saffron releases a golden yellow color slowly when soaked in warm water, while fakes often bleed red color quickly.
Did You Know?
A little saffron goes a long way. A pinch of threads is enough to color and flavor a whole pot of rice, which is why it is used in dishes such as paella, risotto and biryani.