# Saffron: Commercial Product History

Canonical: https://thefoodthatshapedus.com/food-evolution/saffron
Market: United States
Coverage: 3 product families; 13 confirmed observations; 2014 to 2026-08-28.

## Historical identity
Saffron commands high prices because each crocus flower yields only a few stigmas and harvesting is labor-intensive. The Saffron history article follows cultivation, trade, luxury, and medicine; this guide focuses on modern retail identity, package math, and evidence limits.

## Current product snapshot
- Rumi Spice Organic Afghan Saffron: Whole threads; 0.5 g package; observed price $14.99 for 0.5 g; observed 2026-08-28.
- The Spice House Coupe Grade Spanish Saffron: Whole threads; 0.04 oz package (about 1.13 g); observed price $16.49 for 0.04 oz (about 1.13 g); observed 2026-08-28.
- Burlap & Barrel Herati Saffron: Whole threads; 0.5 g jar; observed price $9.99 for 0.5 g; observed 2026-08-28.

## Confirmed timeline
- 2014: Rumi Spice began commercial operations. Rumi Spice identifies 2014 as the beginning of its effort to connect Afghan saffron producers with international buyers.
- 2026-08-29: Current U.S. product observations compiled from the linked product and seller evidence.

## Method and limits
No missing year is treated as evidence that a price, package, formula, owner, origin claim, or availability stayed unchanged. External source material remains with its rights holder; this record publishes source metadata, links, and checksums.

## Sources
- Burlap & Barrel. Herati Saffron. https://www.burlapandbarrel.com/products/herati-saffron (2026; captured 2026-08-29).
- Cambridge University Press. Cambridge World History of Food. https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/cambridge-world-history-of-food/ (2000; captured 2026-08-29).
- International Organization for Standardization. ISO 3632-1:2025: Spices - Saffron - Specification. https://www.iso.org/standard/86798.html (2025; captured 2026-08-29).
- Plants. Phytochemistry, quality control and medicinal uses of saffron: an updated review. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10478662/ (2023; captured 2026-08-29).
- Rumi Spice. Introducing Rumi Spice. https://www.rumispice.com/blogs/blog/introducing-rumi (2014; captured 2026-08-29).
- Rumi Spice. Organic Afghan Saffron. https://www.rumispice.com/products/saffron (2026; captured 2026-08-29).
- The Spice House. Coupe Grade Spanish Saffron. https://www.thespicehouse.com/products/coupe-grade-spanish-saffron (2026; captured 2026-08-29).

Public JSON: https://thefoodthatshapedus.com/food-evolution/saffron/data.json
Public CSV: https://thefoodthatshapedus.com/food-evolution/saffron/data.csv
Buying guide: https://thefoodthatshapedus.com/buying-guides/saffron
Full food history: https://thefoodthatshapedus.com/food/saffron