Saffron Color and Its Uses

December 11, 2021

Colors always have a vital power to affect our mood with their visual appeal. So obviously, colors can influence our temper, feelings, emotions, and even our state of mind. Colors also can boost some positive thoughts and heal our souls since we respond to them. The flashy, fresh, wild and vibrant colors may stimulate our mind for effective body healing.

1. Saffron Color

Saffron has a shade of orange or yellow with a reddish tone, which is derived from the saffron crocus threads’ tip color. The hue of this spice mainly refers to the carotenoid chemical Crocin. With a reddish tone, the saffron color has a sort of yellow-orange blend which resembles the sun, fire, or the pure sense of life for some people.

2. Color of Saffron in Religions

Saffron, as a religious color, holds mythological significance too. When looking spiritually at it, the saffron color resonates with two blessed and sacred elements in Hindu mythology, the color of the sunrise and sunset and also of fire. Both Sun and the Fire are two critical factors holding significant powers. In Hinduism and Buddhism, Saffron is associated with the virtuous concept of abstinence of the earthly life; it is the color of holy men who renounced the world. Saffron, holding a symbolic meaning also in Sikhism, represents sacrifice and spirit. In Hindi, Saffron contains more than a spiritual element but a political color. Enflaming courage and selflessness, saffron color is a part of the Indian flag that signifies the strength of the Indian people. It also represents a specific political party in India. As the most sacred color in Hindu, Saffron resembles fire. Since fire burns the impurities and fights against the darkness, saffron color symbolizes purity. In Buddhism, Saffron is considered the illumination color, perfection’s highest state.

3. Saffron Color in Hindi

Wearing the saffron color in Hindi indicates the quest for light. Robes dyed with the saffron colors, which monks wear, were introduced by the Buddha and his followers, centuries ago. This robe and its color represent self-less karma, renunciation of the material world, and commitment to the order. In Sikhism, Saffron is the color of bliss and deep joy. Absorbing shocks, trauma, and nasty experiences, dressing saffron-colored cloth is about avoiding negativity by letting go of what is not helpful. It is counted as the color of connection, a sort of sense of community, belonging and social aspects of life.

4. Psychological Symbol of Saffron Color

Psychologically, the saffron color symbolizes the enlightening path or a new beginning. People craving to develop new visions and ideas favor the Saffron color. In psychology, Saffron color refers to the new light which has entered your life, filling you with positivity and avoiding the opposing forces. Through giving a new perception, this color can transform the personality for betterment. The Saffron color also plays an undeniable role in meditation and relaxing the body and soul, denoting the growth and the sacrifice of the self, leading to self-development.

5. Saffron for Natural Food Coloring

Saffron contributes a luminous yellow-orange coloring to foods and also dyeing objects. It is widely used in Persian, Indian, European, Turkish and Arab cuisines. Saffron is also used as a fabric dye, giving a bright buttery yellow. All parts of the saffron flower, including saffron stamens, petals and stigmas, are used in extracting saffron color and dyeing things.

6. Saffron, The Most Expensive Spice in the World

As the costliest spice in the world, Saffron is procured from the saffron crocus. This is a flower that is native mainly to Asia. Persian Saffron is very popular as Iran covers more than 90% of the world’s annual 250 tons of saffron production. This phenomenon has made Iran the giant of saffron production, exporting this red gold to about 46 countries worldwide.

7. Saffron Origin

Saffron is assumed to be originated and was also first cultivated in Greece. Still, today it is primarily grown in Iran, Morocco, Greece, and India. Although Saffron can be found in a few places rather than Iran, there is no rival for Persian Saffron. It talks about its fabulous flavor, excellent quality and mesmerizing color.

8. Crimson Red Color of Saffron Threads

This flower is an autumn blooming crocus. The red stigmas of the crocus flower give Saffron. Each of the crocus flowers only gives three stigmas, and each of the crocus bulbs only produces one flower. So, to make just one pound of Saffron, more than 80,000 crocus flowers should be planted, grown, hand-harvested and then processed. About three years after planting crocus, seeds produce flowers. As the process and the product are natural, wielding this plant needs expertise. This is another reason for the high cost of spice. To get the spice of the flower, you should dry the stigmas. The best way is to cut the threads from the flower followed by sun-drying them. This final spice can be used in cooking.

9. Saffron Aroma

With a pleasant aroma, fabulous scent, and rich nutrients inside, Saffron is used as a tasting and flavoring element in cooking and provides other usages following its beneficial properties and coloring role. Saffron’s delightful and vivid color indicates the desire for freshness and pure soul and mind. Dyeing the cloth with Saffron is due to its coloring property which was common in various religious virtues to take the side advantages of the saffron plant. The countless benefits of Saffron, besides its dyeing function and the labor-taking processing, made this spice the most expensive and sacred one ever.

10. Other Uses of Saffron Color

Saffron color, which can be obtained through all the existing parts of the saffron plant, with a wild and flashy tone, is applied in dyeing both food and virtual objects such as religious robes. This vivid color, indicating the purification and light craving soul, can be used in psychological treatments and critical political events.