If there's one ingredient that embodies luxury and magic in the kitchen, it's saffron . But beyond its vibrant color and price tag, which has earned it the nickname "red gold," saffron is a treasure trove of benefits, especially for us women. Naturally gluten-free, this ancient spice is much more than just a coloring agent: it's a true balm for the soul and body.
🌍 Origin: A gift from the Orient
Saffron comes from the stigmas of Crocus sativus , a small mauve flower that hides three precious red threads at its heart. Originally from Crete and Asia Minor, its cultivation has spread as far as Iran (the world's leading producer) and even to French regions (Quercy or Gâtinais saffron). Its rarity is due to the enormous harvest: approximately 150,000 flowers must be picked by hand to obtain just one kilogram of this spice!
💎 Nutritional properties: An invisible strength
No need to consume tons of it, a pinch is enough to benefit from its active ingredients:
- Crocin and Crocetin: The pigments responsible for its color, which are powerful antioxidants.
- Safranal: The compound that gives it its unique aroma and acts on the nervous system.
- Vitamins and Minerals: An excellent source of vitamin B6 (key for metabolism), vitamin C, magnesium and iron.
✨ General Benefits: The Secret to Serenity
- Natural antidepressant: Saffron is famous for increasing levels of serotonin and dopamine, the happiness hormones.
- Anti-inflammatory: It helps protect cells against oxidative stress.
- Friend of eyesight: Its carotenoids protect the retina against aging.
- Slimming aid: It acts as a natural appetite suppressant by limiting stress-related snacking cravings.
🌸 Menopause Focus: Your "Good Mood" Ally
During menopause, hormonal fluctuations often impact mood and sleep. Saffron can be a valuable aid in this regard
- Mood regulator: Saffron has been shown to help combat irritability, anxiety, and the frequent dips in mood that occur when estrogen levels fall.
- Restful sleep: By promoting relaxation, it helps you fall asleep more easily and reduces nighttime awakenings due to hot flashes.
- Increased libido: Known since antiquity as an aphrodisiac, saffron helps to stimulate sexual desire, which is sometimes low at this time of year.
- Physical comfort: It helps to alleviate diffuse pain and muscle tension.
🍳 How to cook with saffron?
Saffron is temperamental: it hates being thrown directly into boiling oil. To unlock its full potential, patience is required.
1. The golden rule: Infusion
Never put the filaments directly into your dish! Crush them lightly and let them infuse for at least 20 minutes in a small amount of hot liquid (water, stock, plant-based milk or even lemon juice) before adding them to your recipe at the end of cooking.
2. Golden Rice (or Fonio!)
It elevates pilaf rice, but try it with our star grain, fonio . The vibrant yellow will make your dish irresistible.
3. In a sweet version
Saffron loves white fruits (pear, apple) and cow's or plant-based milk. A coconut milk and saffron dessert cream is an unforgettable sensory experience and 100% gluten-free.
💡 GlutenEvasion’s “Anti-Scam” advice
Beware of cheap powdered saffron, often cut with turmeric or calendula flowers. Always choose saffron threads (the threads should be a deep red, without too much yellow at the base). If it's good quality, it will color your dish yellow, but the thread itself will remain red!
📖 Want to make your plates shine?
Saffron transforms even the simplest dish into a festive feast.
Using saffron is like putting a little sunshine on your plate and a lot of sweetness in your heart. Have you ever tried it in a sweet dish?
👉 Find our recipes with saffron below
