Saffron is a plant of singular beauty derived from the family of Irise - Crocus sativus. Its short life culminates in an all-too-brief regal flowering: a purple corolla providing a glorious backdrop to three long, Bordeaux rouge stamens.

The heady smell of a saffron field in bloom, once experienced, is impossible to forget. Fortunately, well-prepared saffron conveys much of that pleasure.

The saffron is gently hand picked from each stamen: it takes 150,000 flowers to produce just one kilogram! The saffron plant is indigenous to Iran where it is cultivated on the country’s rich plains. From these magical fields comes the world’s best.

Uniquely, Iranian saffron is a rich, dark autumnal red in colour and has a distinctive aromatic bouquet, bringing life to special dishes.

In accordance with House tradition, the finest pure Iranian saffron - the best - is exclusively held by Princesse d’Isenbourg.