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what is the usage of crocin in food industry?

In many countries today we are witnessing a continuous increase in the production and variety of food products. This makes innovation and application of new technologies unavoidable. On the other hand, as a result and because of the modern industrial methods, the food chain has become much more complex, increasing the possibility of chemical contamination of food products. Modern applied research methods are an essential part of the technology to produce ready-and semi-ready-to-use saffron products of nutritious value in order to satisfy the potential needs of consumers.

Saffron is a natural organic colorant and unlike other plant colorants it is highly permanent and does not fade easily; in fact it is mainly used because of its high coloring power. Therefore it has many applications in water environments and its use in the food industry is quite economical.
For the above reasons, there is a day growing trend of using saffron in food technology and formulation of new saffron products such as: saffron dessert powder, saffron crème caramel powder, saffron beverage powder, saffron cake mix, saffron cream powder, saffron batter powder, different semi-ready to use saffron soups and different saffron spice mixtures.

Crocin, the key of using saffon

One of the most widely used natural colorants is crocin, sometimes called crocin yellow, which is a common food dye in the Far East. It is responsible for the colour of saffron, which is prepared from flowers of the crocusCrocus sativus L., and it is also extracted from the fruits of the gardenia, Gardenia jasminoides Ellis. Alos, it is one of main carotenoids and pharmacologically active components of saffron.

Saffron has been a spice for a long time. Most of us use powdered or string saffron at home, and for saffron rice and saffron syrup. But the consumption of saffron in foods does not end there. Today, many sectors of the food industry use saffron to flavor and color their products. The usage of saffron are as follows:

1- Application of saffron in beverage and other beverage industries

One of the areas of use of saffron is in the production of beverages. The amount of saffron used in non-alcoholic beverages is usually 3 to 7 parts per million. Saffron is also used in the preparation of herbal syrups, including simple lemon and saffron syrups.

2- Application of saffron in confectionery and baking industries

Another use of saffron is in the confectionery industry. The amount of saffron used in confectionery is usually 10 parts per million. Saffron is used to color and flavor flour products, including cakes, bread.

“Saffron is the raw material of many products in the world”

3- Application of saffron in dairy industry

Saffron is also used in dairy products such as milk, cream, butter and ice cream. The amount of saffron used in ice cream is 3 to 7.5 parts per million.

4- Application of saffron in meat industry

Finally, the use of saffron in the meat industry can be mentioned. Saffron is used as an aromatic spice to color meat products such as sausages. Saffron is also used in the preparation of canned meat, especially chicken-based products. The amount of saffron used in meat is 260 parts per million.

what is crocin?

Saffron contains several compounds such as safranal, picrocrocin and crocin, the latter is the main antioxidant in saffron working as a dye. Crocin is a carotenoid chemical compound that is present in the flowers crocus and gardenia. Crocin is the chemical mainly responsible for the color of saffron. Chemically, the dieter derived from the disaccharide gentiobiose and dicarboxylic acid crocetin is crocin.

It is one of main carotenoids and pharmacologically active components of saffron. Crocin is also responsible for the color of saffron. Cronic posseses different therapeutic properties, including effects on nervous system disorders (antidementia agent, antidepressant, anxiolytic, and aphrodisiac) as well as antioxidant, cardioprotective, and antitumor properties

Saffron and mainly crocin are effective antidepressant and anti-anxiety agents, as well as sexual motivator, memory enhancer and sedative which are used for the treatment of different central nervous system disorders.

Crocin, safranal, and crocetin are the components of the plant that play a role in the antidepressant effect based on the available evidence. Current evidence demonstrating that saffron administration, at a dosage of 28 mg/day for 4 weeks, had beneficial effects on mood, anxiety, and stress management in individuals self-reporting low mood, yet sleep quality did not improve.

Crocetin and crocin are yellow pigments that are normally obtained from saffron (Crocus sativus). Saffron powder as well as extract are used as both colorant and spice. However, the use of saffron powder and extract as food colorant is limited due to its high cost and is restricted only in the United States. The European Union has not approved saffron for its use as colorant but allows its use as spice.

In Japan and China, crocin extracted from fruit of gardenia yellow (Gardenia jasminoides and Gardenia augusta) has been approved for use in foods. On the other hand, the use of crocin obtained from the fruit has not been permitted in the United States and European Union.

What is Saffron Honey?

It is said that honey and saffron are like a match made in heaven. Both are powerful health enhancing natural products that and together they offer a unique blend of health-giving nutrients and taste. High quality organic honey blended with pure saffron threads creates amazingly flavorful and healthy “Saffron Honey“. Saffron Honey combines the health benefits of both saffron and honey. It is enjoyable to be consumed while nourishing body with various essential nutrients & vitamins; therefore effective to reduce inflammation, improve blood circulation, calm nervousness, etc. Saffron Honey can be consumed on its own, adding to tea or just mix it with water.

What is saffron?

Saffron is a highly valued spice and one of the most expensive culinary ingredients in the world. It’s from the Crocus family and the word crocus means thread in Greek, referring to the appearance of its stamens. Saffron originates from the Arabic word, Zafaran.

What is Saffron Honey benefits?

The other side, Honey is rich in vitamins, proteins, and minerals and is combined with saffron that has powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and is also a stimulant, expectorant, antispasmodic, aphrodisiac and stomachic. It offers a unique blend of taste and nutrition. The organic saffron honey helps replace the amount of sugar in your diet which aids in weight loss and is helpful for diabetics. It is infused with rare high potency and has a delicate flavor, aroma and color.

  • Reduces appetite and stops over-eating.
  • Burns fat and boosts metabolism to help lose weight.
  • Removes acne and skin blemishes. Good for both dry skin and oily skin.
  • Reduces wrinkles due to ageing skin.
  • It protects cells from damaging effects of free radicals.
  • Improves brain chemistry. Balances mood and enhances memory.
  • Aids digestive system and liver function.
  • Strengthen immune system and decreases formation of malignant cells.
  • Potassium found in saffron helps to maintain blood pressure and reduces risk of heart diseases.

How to make saffron Honey at Home?

As it is really hard to find real saffron honey made by honey bees, people use regular raw honey and infuse it with saffron stigmas. Here is how it’s done:

  • 1/2 cup mild honey (anything, from acacia, sunflower to clover or tupelo)
  • 1/2 teaspoon saffron threads.
1 teaspoon contains 3 mg of saffron.

Stir them in a glass jar with screw top. Close the jar and let it stay for at least 5 days before consumption. Enjoy the homemade honey saffron on a slice of buttered whole-grain bread for breakfast or drizzled over a bowl of Greek yogurt with a few toasted walnuts. It’s amazing! Or spoon some into a bowl of warm breakfast oats and wait for the vibrant strands to release their orange hues.

Beyond its obvious health value, saffron honey is really tasty. You can enjoy it on a slice of buttered bread or drizzled over a bowl of greek yogurt with some walnuts, or a bowl of breakfast cereals.

Due to its high antioxidant properties, it is advised not to use metal spoon and water temperature higher than 60 °C to prevent oxidation

what are Saffron Soap Health Benefits?

According to a few sources, the famous king of Persia, Cyrus the Great, used to take baths sprinkled with saffron because he believed that this spice can heal his battle wounds. It seems that he was right because saffron is an excellent source of nutrients that supports healing and exfoliation.

While it’s true that there are many commercial cosmetic skin care products in the market, it is also true that most of them contain artificial and processed ingredients that can cause side effects. If you want to stay safe and take good care of your skin at the same time, choose a natural approach. In the last few years, more and more people are interested in using saffron soap for skin health. The benefits of using saffron soap As the name suggests, saffron soap is a type of soap based on saffron. This spice is getting quite popular in the recent years thanks to the positive experiences that many people had with saffron.

Saffron Soap, and how Saffron is good for skin health Taking care of your skin is very important not just because skin affects our physical appearance, but because the condition of this organ affects our overall health. Saffron’s provitamin helps make skin fair and lustrous; its pleasant holy aroma leaves body refreshing all day long. As we explained the benefits of saffron for the skin in separate articles.

A team of scientists led by Dr. Fehrat, have found that the stigmas of the saffron flower can block tyrosinase and as a result of that the production of melanin is controlled in a better way. It softens the skin Having cracked heels can definitely ruin your physical appearance especially during the summer period.

Uses of saffron soap

It benefits for skin include making your skin glow, brightening skin, removing tan, skin toning and improving complexion.

  • For glowing skin : Due to daily pollution Harsh weather and several other factors skin tends to become dull and lifeless. Application of saffron soap over the skin can bring back the lost glow on the face.
  • Improve complexion : Saffron is a most popular skin lightening ingredient used in many cosmetic products. This improves blood circulation nourishes the skin and lighten the complexion on regular use.
  • To tone the skin : Saffron serves you as a great natural toner, it keeps your skin fresh healthy and younger.
  • For brightening skin : If you have pigmentations skin blemishes from acne small scars uneven skin tone. Pure saffron hydrate your skin and give you an even and bright complexion.
  • To cleans skin : This soap lightens and evens your skin tone, while cleansing away pore-deep impurities.
  • Flawless skin : It gently fades away pigmentation marks and blemishes and grants you a faier and flawless complexion.

Use saffron soap on a regular basis to soften your skin. Of course, this soap can make your skin softer regardless of the body part where it’s used. It promotes skin hydration Finally, saffron soap can help you keep the skin hydrated. Saffron has an ability to absorb moisture and fight chapped dried skin. Remember that these are just some of the many reasons why you should replace your ordinary soap with a saffron soap.

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5 Health Benefits of Using Saffron Powder

Saffron, commonly known as the “Sun Spice” has been used for centuries. Although in the past few decades saffron has become increasingly popular for its multitude of medicinal benefits with accumulating scientific research studies confirming the abundance of health-promoting compounds within this miraculous spice.

How to Use Saffron Powder

Saffron powder is actually pretty easy to use. However, what you have to watch out is the amount you use since a pinch of saffron – believe it or not – actually goes a long way. Saffron powder is very potent so professional cooks even use only a tiny bit for their dishes and beverages. It can be infused in cocktails and tea for a beautiful aroma and sophisticated taste. Saffron powder would make a great addition to dry rubs for pork and lamb as well. Saffron also gives that golden colour to your Middle Eastern rice dishes.

Health Benefits of Using Saffron Powder

As expensive as it is, saffron not only makes up for it with aroma and taste but also its range of health benefits. Here are some benefits that come with using premium saffron powder to name a few:

1- Powerful Immune Booster

The compounds in saffron such as crocin, crocetin, safranal and kaempferol are antioxidants, meaning they work to reverse and protect the cell from oxidative damage. 

2- Potential Anti-Cancer Properties

Crocin is a dark red-orange, water soluble compound found in saffron that has been found to trigger apoptosis (programmed cell death) in many types of human cancer cells. Both animal models and cultured human cell studies have supplied an abundance of evidence of the anti-tumor, anti-carcinogenic properties of saffron and its constituents, demonstrating the chemopreventive effects of saffron in cancers such as leukemia, ovarian carcinoma, colon adenocarcinoma, lung cancer and others

3-May Enhance Mood and Treat Depressive Symptoms

You may not know this but saffron is sometimes called the “sunshine spice”. Aside from its distinct and bright pigment, the reason it got this nickname is because of its antidepressant properties. Studies have found that saffron is effective in alleviating symptoms of depression.

4- Reduces appetite and helps in weight loss

Saffron has proven effective in curbing appetite and aids in weight loss. One of the main causes of unwanted weight gain is through constant snacking. Saffron helps by reducing your appetite which lessens your food intake and ultimately helps in weight loss.

How much is saffron price in Oman?

Saffron is a valuable herbs mostly found in Arabic country. Saffron has many benefits towards health. The history of saffron stretches all the way back to the late Bronze Age and back then it had numerous uses just as it does today.

What is the situation of Iranian saffron exports?

TEHRAN- Iran’s Trade Promotion Organization (TPO) will hold the meeting of the National Saffron Export Desk this week, a senior official in the organization announced.

According to Mahmoud Bazari, the director-general of TPO’s Export Coordination Office for agro crops and processing industry products, the mentioned meeting is aimed at investigating the ways for the promotion of saffron exports and releasing the reports on the subject by related organizations including Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ICCIMA), Iran Chamber of Cooperatives (ICC), and National Saffron Council, TPO’s Public Relations Department reported on Sunday.

TPO has recently set up a special task force on the trade of saffron.

Underlining the significance of saffron in Iran’s exports, Hamid Zadboum, the head of TPO, has said that his organization has had supporting the exports of this product through offering different incentives a top agenda of its activities since the Iranian calendar year 1380 (March 2001- March 2002).

About 85 percent to 90 percent of Iran’s saffron is produced in the northeastern provinces of North Khorasan and Khorasan Razavi and the eastern province of South Khorasan.

Based on the data released by Iranian Vice Presidency for Science and Technology, Iran earns some $500 million annually by exporting medicinal herbs, of which about $350 million is related to saffron and the rest is the share of other medicinal herbs.

Source: Tehran Times

How much is Saffron market size?

One of the important reasons that makes saffron more expensive is its scarcity. Because the supply of goods affects its price and the supply of saffron is limited. All of saffron is almost produce in IRAN near 450 tons per year.  In this article, we want to show you how big the saffron market is and what effect it has on your marketing and sales.

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News: 7 to 10 percent growth of saffron cultivation in Afghanistan this year

Akbar Rostami, spokesman for the Afghan Ministry of Agriculture, said that saffron cultivation in Afghanistan has increased by 7% in some areas this year. Afghanistan’s saffron fields are expected to increase by up to 10 percent, which will have a direct impact on increasing saffron yields,” He said.

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