What Goes Into Harvesting the World's Most Expensive Spice - Vendors

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 18 ม.ค. 2022
  • Gulzar Ahmad Kuchay has been selling saffron for over 30 years. Every autumn his family comes together for the annual harvest in the pampore region of Kashmir. Together they pick saffron flowers, separate the stigma from the petals, dry the spice, and package it up to sell to local shops.
    Credits:
    Producers: McGraw Wolfman, Syed Shahriyar
    Line Producer: Mukhtar Zahoor
    Director/Camera: Syed Shahriyar
    Editor: Mike Imhoff
    Executive Producer: Stephen Pelletteri
    Development Producer: McGraw Wolfman
    Supervising Producer: Stefania Orrù
    Associate Director of Audience: Terri Ciccone
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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ความคิดเห็น • 132

  • @sandihuynh8876
    @sandihuynh8876 2 ปีที่แล้ว +181

    Honestly it's amazing how much care and quality there is to such a "small" yet very delicate product

  • @ReganAtSea
    @ReganAtSea 2 ปีที่แล้ว +87

    genuinely think no one else on this platform is making food content this good

  • @AsitdyaDsr
    @AsitdyaDsr 2 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    With Kashmiri saffron, we in india make biryanis , chicken kebabs , white rice and many sweets. No other spice has this unique flavour I think. A luxury spice. Thanks to eater team for focusing on farmer’s hard work to bring this gift to the world.

  • @Lol-jv9hv
    @Lol-jv9hv 2 ปีที่แล้ว +125

    This video is really well made - the way you hold the attention is clearly extremely honed. Incredible work ^^

  • @caseysutherland
    @caseysutherland 2 ปีที่แล้ว +41

    This is truly fascinating. I loved hearing him discuss his family’s hard work and the care taken to bring this to harvest. Truly amazing!

  • @therealmykag
    @therealmykag 2 ปีที่แล้ว +27

    I was just rewatching Ratatouille and I never noticed the old lady at the beginning casually had saffron, must be nice to be able to afford it

    • @kellywhite9299
      @kellywhite9299 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      “Ahh. L' Aquila saffron…”

    • @gab.lab.martins
      @gab.lab.martins 2 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      It's not _that_ expensive. Not an everyday product, but once every month or two is perfectly doable. "It's more expensive than gold", by weight. Gold is pretty heavy, saffron is pretty light. A pinch goes a long way.

    • @ex_potato
      @ex_potato 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I buy 5g boxes, and using it sparingly, I can stretch it out for a year. In the UK, it costs me around £25 for a decent quality Spanish saffron. I mostly use it to make paella and saffron-infused aioli. I think that's pretty reasonable.

    • @ninadganore
      @ninadganore 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      not that expensive

  • @CatalystRestorations
    @CatalystRestorations 2 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    "It looks like some juice or Mountain Dew" lmao

  • @itouchgamer96
    @itouchgamer96 2 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Thanks you eater for setting a spotlight on the art and beauty of this region that is often neglected in the West

  • @theweatherisaokay4964
    @theweatherisaokay4964 2 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Although I didn't saffron much, but watching how delicate and long process it took, I really appreciate this spice now.

  • @teresanoll4054
    @teresanoll4054 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Thank you for sharing this beautiful story and family history. 💙 From Chicago USA

  • @thereissomecoolstuff
    @thereissomecoolstuff 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Another remarkable video. Thank you. Goodluck to these farmers and families. God bless

  • @YusufOnder
    @YusufOnder 2 ปีที่แล้ว +12

    Finally a product where everything is just pure transparent 👌👌👌

    • @rima1815
      @rima1815 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Saffron is the most corrupted product in the world after alcool, around 90% of the importation in Europe, are not or doesn’t correspond to the border bill. In the shop, the saffron powder you buy have 95% of being corrupted or mixed with differents things.
      Your comment is a dream ;)

  • @doduarrow
    @doduarrow 2 ปีที่แล้ว +11

    damm now i want quit my dead end job and start cultivation saffron

  • @AzlianaLyana
    @AzlianaLyana 2 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    One or two flowers it's enough to take your foods to the next level. But boy...are they expensive!

  • @James__123
    @James__123 2 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    Brilliant video!

  • @crane71
    @crane71 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    The most beautiful place in India - Kashmir!

  • @delphipascal
    @delphipascal 2 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    well that was thoroughly enjoyable viewing

  • @thomasaiu999
    @thomasaiu999 2 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Beautiful wonderful saffron so much love and care goes into it no wonder it’s so expensive! But it adds that nice floral touch to a dish be it a main or in a side dish color a little goes a long way

  • @carrielahr
    @carrielahr 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Such a great interesting video! Thank you for sharing and for the hard work you all do. Wish I could try some of your Saffron Kahwa.

  • @kingyatt4295
    @kingyatt4295 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    This is super fire .

  • @TheChefmike66
    @TheChefmike66 2 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    This was fantastic. I will never look at this ingredient in the same way!

    • @RogueStatusX
      @RogueStatusX 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      buying this ingredient keeps families like this in poverty and keeps the overlords that jack the price up 200 fold in business

  • @graciepatton2502
    @graciepatton2502 2 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    I am almost blind but I grow and harvest my own saffron if you take your time you can do it anyone

  • @r0fLc0pt3rf0rtHewiN
    @r0fLc0pt3rf0rtHewiN 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    you guys are on a roll good content

  • @joanneganon7157
    @joanneganon7157 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Remarkable Job 👏

  • @DRV-mt5dd
    @DRV-mt5dd ปีที่แล้ว

    Just, wow. Great informative video.

  • @ThickCutBacon
    @ThickCutBacon 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Fantastic video!

  • @crabmansteve6844
    @crabmansteve6844 2 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    Kashmiri saffron really is the best, it's very fragrant in my opinion. It's super expensive, but it's very worth it. I like making saffron butter to eat with lobster or crab.

  • @hkbabel
    @hkbabel 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Thank you

  • @fuckkatuas2837
    @fuckkatuas2837 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Indian saffron is amazing.

  • @jackiewong5108
    @jackiewong5108 2 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    I Found out there are several varieties of crocuses the common one is grown as a spring flower

  • @hyperbaroque
    @hyperbaroque 2 ปีที่แล้ว +16

    Has me wondering about growing it indoors. But I am sure there are secrets to the soil content to create the product we see here.

    • @renatoetzi
      @renatoetzi 2 ปีที่แล้ว +19

      I have some 200 bulbs outside in the garden and another 100 in a greenhouse in pots in the Netherlands. They flower and grow better in the greenhouse because we get early rains in autumn and they like to be dry. The 100 in the greenhouse produce more flowers and for longer than the 200 outside. All 300 bulbs together they produce about 5 grams of safron per season. It is something to grow as a hobby. Not to get rich. Each bulb gets 2 to 3 flowers and each flower has 3 safron threads like in the video. I think that indoors like in a heated home they would not grow well. They need seasons and a cold period in winter.

    • @jacobobesser
      @jacobobesser 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      @@renatoetzi Wow that's really cool information. Thanks for sharing that.

    • @chfire2004
      @chfire2004 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      It grows well in raised beds with sand mixed into the soil, it really just needs to drain well. I've got it in 12 inch high beds, but it would easily grow in a 6 inch deep pot.

    • @rima1815
      @rima1815 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      You don’t need special soil, saffron bulb grow everywhere. You throw some in mountain, it’s ok...it grow...

  • @danielmizrahi9629
    @danielmizrahi9629 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    i like how he says its secret but hes doing a video for youtube :D haha love the guys voice also. excellent video

  • @LindsayDaly
    @LindsayDaly 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Haha the mountain dew comparison was endearing

  • @quinnw6795
    @quinnw6795 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Amazing video

  • @zodiacmanan
    @zodiacmanan 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    This is worth more than gold.

  • @dreamcatcher75418
    @dreamcatcher75418 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    cool video!!! 😃

  • @rima1815
    @rima1815 2 ปีที่แล้ว +11

    My farmers in Iran produce saffron since 1875 :). Khorosan region, border with Afghanistan

    • @RserBot2
      @RserBot2 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Well it doesn't have the scent

    • @rima1815
      @rima1815 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@RserBot2 Thé scent ? The highest grade measured are actually in this region, the ISO 3632 confirmed this since 1999, when it was first put in papers for saffron (smell, scent and colour).
      We have european saffron or Latin American or even From Tasmania, one of the most expensive (this expensive because the seller make marketing, and he is always ne in New Zealand and Australia).

    • @RserBot2
      @RserBot2 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@rima1815 are you accusing wall street journal for false reporting? You better be a good student and agree with WSJ that Kashmir saffron is the BEST

    • @rima1815
      @rima1815 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@RserBot2 this not false, this is mistake. Saffron specialist and consultant for quality&importation. 90% of the market is false with old harvest that can’t be sold.
      They mix it, and sell it in powder.
      I analyze, see, try, taste and collected more than 50/60 differents saffron from different region. The Khorosan one is still best.

    • @rima1815
      @rima1815 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@RserBot2 Second argumentions, this new papers is not allow to enter in Iran, so, how can they say the best saffron in Kashmir, when they didn’t go to the best place because of political reason ?
      Sometimes, you need to use your brain and logic.

  • @kompressor740ify
    @kompressor740ify 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Nice!

  • @aliazizi1653
    @aliazizi1653 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Great job. Regarding the statement regarding Iranian saffron I should say it has incredible fragrance. It is proven and I believe Gulzar Ahmad needs to try Iranian saffron to change his view.

    • @fvysl133
      @fvysl133 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      😂 it’s okay all believe their is the best trust me, same thing I’ve been told by Azerbaijani when I was in Baku

  • @majhatruckingsolutions9686
    @majhatruckingsolutions9686 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Is Zamindar Kesar Company the place to buy from ?

  • @Damc3808
    @Damc3808 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Guess they don’t have much wind, can u imagine one powerful gust thousands of dollars lost

  • @DRV-mt5dd
    @DRV-mt5dd ปีที่แล้ว

    I would really like to try that "Mountain Dew".

  • @hilee7390
    @hilee7390 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    I wonder what fragrances are coming if I smell that? 🥀🌱🌿

  • @timobatana6705
    @timobatana6705 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Gordon Ramsay pits this stuff on his grilled cheese. I am not lying. It's here on yt. Look up Gordon grilled cheese

    • @lutomson3496
      @lutomson3496 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      when im in spain i buy it there way cheaper then the US is and i use it in everything also

  • @nickinportland
    @nickinportland 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    I bet that’s some bomb saffron

  • @cheshire147
    @cheshire147 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Yah real saffron in pyaya is so damn good in the rice so flavorful omg yah it’s def like crack

  • @aghelesaffron4392
    @aghelesaffron4392 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    👏👏

  • @mcbeans2602
    @mcbeans2602 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    * *in a whisper* *~* *the spiceee.....how do they know about the spiceeee....* *

  • @Midgetman275
    @Midgetman275 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Love to see you guys cover vegetarian and vegan restaurants, love what you do and seen most of the vids on this channel!

  • @JohnFoxx108
    @JohnFoxx108 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    There's a lot of stigma attached to saffron crocuses

  • @DIDYOUSEETHAT172
    @DIDYOUSEETHAT172 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    😊👍👍👍👍👍

  • @TheGrace020
    @TheGrace020 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Amazing

  • @ndud_
    @ndud_ 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Gordon should use ur saffron

  • @northerners2828
    @northerners2828 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Im using that saffron for chicken pourage.

  • @KentGoSuzuki
    @KentGoSuzuki 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Isn’t it weird that the Kashmiri(Hindi?) names for the Month are so similar to English? Is it one of those terms that is based off the English spelling/pronunciations?

    • @Aws895
      @Aws895 2 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      Kashmiri is very different from Hindi but the names of the month he was using are English ones. We have our own calenders too but English one is used most commonly.

  • @dailydoseofaspartame4065
    @dailydoseofaspartame4065 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    1 kg sells for ~$3400, but this guy doesn't look like a millionare to me. Margins on saffron must be huge.

    • @thetrapster3692
      @thetrapster3692 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      His total production is way less that a KG. Saffron is very light object. I do buy 1g it's a lot

    • @dailydoseofaspartame4065
      @dailydoseofaspartame4065 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@thetrapster3692 I just looked it up, 1g is a lot. Thanks for letting me know.

  • @daffo595
    @daffo595 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Needs more views smh

  • @1minutecomicswalahollywood648
    @1minutecomicswalahollywood648 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Kashmir Saffron.

  • @Wvk5zc
    @Wvk5zc 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I have eaten lots of Indian/Turkish/Spanish rice infused with saffron but I still don't how it actually tastes like

    • @forcehucos2429
      @forcehucos2429 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Should try some dessert made with saffron because in desserts the flavour comes out really well.... recipes from india or iran(they use saffron flavour in most recipes)
      Recipes like .. saffron milk, saffron faluda, safron icecream and saffron khir(rice pudding)

    • @GoToMan
      @GoToMan 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Get some saffron and munch on it

  • @gautamtimalsina807
    @gautamtimalsina807 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I dont think they know that their product is sold for much higher prices abroad, sucks that they cant get the profit they want and have to settle for less

  • @LarsonChristopher
    @LarsonChristopher 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Eater, thank you.

  • @powerpuffgirls7874
    @powerpuffgirls7874 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    I hope he get A LOT OF MONEY ..

  • @fkarmadi
    @fkarmadi 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Iran saffron is the best

  • @theunsolicited2cents893
    @theunsolicited2cents893 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    i'll wait for the day when indoor hydrophonics and robotic farming plummets its price

  • @adamyusuf7673
    @adamyusuf7673 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    how can someone who provides the worlds most expensive spice live so poor

    • @mrinalkumarravi8820
      @mrinalkumarravi8820 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Because the region is rife with Islamic insurgency and of course the middlemen involved in trade. Although a Kashmiri can shed more light on this.

  • @edwinjose1885
    @edwinjose1885 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    What language is he speaking?

  • @RogueStatusX
    @RogueStatusX 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    dont kid yourselves, these people are getting ripped off and its because they dont have the means or the knowledge to stop it

  • @elluisito000
    @elluisito000 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    People working with this crope are stigmatized for it 😀

  • @josejaviera5276
    @josejaviera5276 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    And of course, it all comes from Arrakis

  • @barrymckockinner9292
    @barrymckockinner9292 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    It seems to me he should be making more money out of it

  • @yashsingh5749
    @yashsingh5749 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    This farm was my great grandfather they migrated when muslims of kashmir forced us hindus to leave from there🤬

  • @darren1119
    @darren1119 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    so why are they not rich?

  • @Trump4king
    @Trump4king 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Saffron is so gross tasting lol

    • @ShivamKumar-wx2lw
      @ShivamKumar-wx2lw 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Stick to Salt and Pepper then lol. Nobody asked for your opinion. Literally no one did

  • @TheGentlemanGR
    @TheGentlemanGR 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    The best saffron in Kozani's (Greece) saffron !

  • @georgewbushcenterforintell147
    @georgewbushcenterforintell147 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Operated like the legal marijuana business in ca .

  • @bankerdave888
    @bankerdave888 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Beware of all the fake saffron out there!

  • @chefpizza4677
    @chefpizza4677 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Is it just me or saffron always taste like plastic?

  • @Marr0wgar
    @Marr0wgar 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Fun fact: it's not that good and is honestly a worthless crop.

  • @HolySoopCoolers
    @HolySoopCoolers 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    They forgot to show their poppy fields.

    • @user-hk7de3nt4q
      @user-hk7de3nt4q 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      They're farming and you're selling, how about that, bendejo?

    • @HolySoopCoolers
      @HolySoopCoolers 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@user-hk7de3nt4q it’s a win-win.

  • @rashnuofthegoldenscales4512
    @rashnuofthegoldenscales4512 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Kashmiri saffron is a fine product by itself, but what is being said about Iranian saffron is completely false. It is fragrant and must by virtue of authenticity be fragrant and possess a vibrant colour - And at no point has Iranian saffron been smuggled into Kashmir for mixing. This is what the Spanish do when they rebrand Iranian saffron as Spanish saffron. The truth is, Iranian saffron dominates the markets because no other crop than the first grade Birjand crocus yields a harvest that is consistent or comparably abundant. The Kashmiri variety is expensive because of its limited quantity and limited export possibility and the region being politically volatile, due to the remoteness of the location and the ongoing conflict with Pakistan that has affected the local market conditions.

    • @jimmoriarty915
      @jimmoriarty915 2 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      They made a mistake in the translation although to their credit it was a subtle difference. He said" Iranian zafran doesn't have "this" fragrance and not Iranian saffron doesn't have a fragrance .

  • @alisolhjoo6366
    @alisolhjoo6366 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Provided information is not correct in most of the cases. They way they harvest is also not correct (time of the day). Also, the most important issue, Iranian saffron is the best in the world both quality and color not Keshmir whatsoever.

    • @giovannigiorgio6406
      @giovannigiorgio6406 2 ปีที่แล้ว +15

      Found the Iranian here

    • @jimmoriarty915
      @jimmoriarty915 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      May be the time for the harvest is different in dirrerent areas.

  • @chfire2004
    @chfire2004 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    This guy is so full of crap, Iranian saffron doesn't have a fragrance? How does he know that, has he harvested it in Iran? I grow this in my backyard it all smells the same.
    Here's an idea, when you all decide to edit stuff, cut junk that is the local guys opinion out of the video.

    • @RserBot2
      @RserBot2 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Tasted both and Iran's smelled like bombs

    • @jimmoriarty915
      @jimmoriarty915 2 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      They made a mistake in the translation although to their credit it was a subtle difference. He said" Iranian zafran doesn't have "this" fragrance and not Iranian saffron doesn't have a fragrance .

  • @Alexander-bv4px
    @Alexander-bv4px 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Just a reminder to everyone - this is child labour. The family is of course not the bad guys here since they most probably all need to help out to make a living, but this video is none the less showcasing child labour in action. Most of the child labour in the world does not take place in sweatshops. The lion part consist of children who need to work at their family business instead of playing and going to school.

    • @lundysden6781
      @lundysden6781 2 ปีที่แล้ว +22

      didnt he say the harvest lasts only a few weeks? The kids can go to school the other 90% of the time. Work like that with other kids is a type of play I feel. Nothing more than what some call chores.

    • @Alexander-bv4px
      @Alexander-bv4px 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@lundysden6781 I hope you're right.

    • @lylecoglianese1645
      @lylecoglianese1645 2 ปีที่แล้ว +20

      @Alexander, these kids are family members, not some underage underpaid child slaves. There is nothing wrong with functioning as a family. That is how most “family farms” have been run forever.

    • @giovannigiorgio6406
      @giovannigiorgio6406 2 ปีที่แล้ว +18

      @@lylecoglianese1645 first world citizens needing someone to save. Pretty sure those kids prefer having something to eat (and learning a tradition/job) over "going outside to play"

    • @Alexander-bv4px
      @Alexander-bv4px 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@lylecoglianese1645 They are indeed family members, but child labour does not necessarily equal stereotypical "underpaid child slaves". As I mentioned - most of the world's working children do so to bring financial stability to their family. Family farms have indeed been run that way in the past, but in nowadays (see the Convention on the Rights of the Child) we put bigger emphasis on childrens right to a proper childhood. As Lundy mentioned I may have been too quick to jump to a conclosion that this was the case here, but this (in some form) is still how most of the world's child labour look like. I don't agree that having children working in your family business should be something we accept.
      And again - in the cases where families let their children work to bright financial stability to their family, the solution is not to scold them but that we as a world should work towards giving everyone a the financial stability so that children does not have to work.
      I wish you the best in life.