Saffron Grades Explained: What You Are Really Paying For

Saffron Grades Explained: What You Are Really Paying For

Here is something most saffron buyers never discover: the grade printed on the label can mean almost anything. There is no universal law governing saffron quality claims, and that single fact has allowed an entire industry of mislabelled, diluted spice to flourish. If you have ever wondered why your "premium" saffron barely colours a pot of rice, this is probably why.

Understanding saffron grades is not just for connoisseurs. Knowing the grade helps you spend wisely and actually get what you pay for.

The Four Grades at a Glance

Saffron is graded by ISO 3632, which measures crocin (colour), picrocrocin (flavour), and safranal (aroma). Here is how the four grades compare:

BEST
🏆

Super Negin

Colour★★★★★
Aroma★★★★★
Flavour★★★★★
Only the longest, deepest crimson tips. No yellow. No orange. Colouring strength 250+. This is what Imperial Saffron stocks exclusively.
Pinch needed per dish: Small
🥇

Negin

Colour★★★★☆
Aroma★★★★☆
Flavour★★★★☆
Long red threads with occasional orange tip. Very strong colour (230-250). Excellent for cooking, slightly less uniform than Super Negin.
Pinch needed per dish: Small to Medium
🥈

Sargol

Colour★★★☆☆
Aroma★★★☆☆
Flavour★★★☆☆
Shorter, trimmed red tips. Often broken pieces. Colour strength 210-240. The most common supermarket grade. Decent, but not refined.
Pinch needed per dish: Medium
⚠️

Pushal

Colour★★☆☆☆
Aroma★★☆☆☆
Flavour★★☆☆☆
Red stigma plus yellow style attached. You are paying saffron prices for parts that add almost no value. Colour strength 170-200.
Pinch needed per dish: Large (2-3x more)

What You Actually See: Thread Anatomy

Every saffron thread is part of the crocus flower's stigma. The key is how much of the thread is deep red versus yellow or orange:

Super Negin100% deep crimson
Negin~85% red, slight orange tip
Sargol~65% red, shorter broken pieces
Pushal~40% red, long yellow style attached

The more red, the more crocin, picrocrocin, and safranal. The yellow parts contribute almost nothing to flavour or colour.

Purple saffron crocus flower showing the red stigma threads

The Water Test: See the Difference Yourself

🧊

Super Negin in Water

Clear, luminous gold after 15 mins

Threads stay deep red. Colour releases slowly. Water is crystal clear with a golden glow.

🚫

Pushal / Low Grade in Water

Murky, brownish tone

Yellow style muddies the water. Weaker colour. Takes more threads to achieve the same result.

Try this at home with whatever saffron you currently own. The result will tell you more than any label. For the full technique, visit our preparation guide page.

Why Grade Matters More Than Price

A tiny pinch of Super Negin will colour and flavour an entire paella or risotto for four. With Pushal, you might need three times as much to get a similar result. The "cheaper" option is not cheaper at all.

Lower grades also carry a bitter, hay-like note from the yellow style. Super Negin has a clean, honeyed warmth with floral notes. Lower grades tend to just add colour without much depth.

Field of purple saffron crocus flowers in bloom

What We Source and Why

Imperial Saffron works exclusively with Super Negin grade, sourced from Herat, Afghanistan. Every batch is lab-tested for ISO 3632 compliance before it reaches you. No blending, no bulk filler. Available as a luxury gift set or an everyday pouch.

Ready to taste the difference? Browse our recipe collection for inspiration.

Stop Guessing. Start Tasting.

Experience Super Negin saffron and discover what you have been missing.

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