Saffron is a plant. The dried stigmas (thread-like parts of the flower) are used to make saffron spice. It can take 75,000 saffron blossoms to produce a single pound of saffron spice, which helps make this one of the most expensive spices in the world. So how can I even write a post on saffron tea when we focus on being on a budget? Because when I did a cost-analysis on the recipe I tried, it actually only cost about 50 cents a cup. Not bad for a cup of tea that can not only produce a better mood, but has lots of other health properties. The saffron I used was Spain, Coupe Grade 1/2 g product number 57338 http://www.penzeys.com/cgi-bin/penzeys/p-penzeyssaffron.html
EASY SAFFRON TEA RECIPE –
Put 3 or 4 saffron stands in a cup.
Add a splash of warm water and let sit for 10 minutes…VERY IMPORTANT it sits for 10 minutes.
After 10 minutes, pour boiling water over it and add a drop of honey.
It’s that easy!
Saffron tea is also referred to as “liquid sunshine” because it can have an uplifting mood effect, as much as taking Prozac. I made this and served it to two friends and after about 30 minutes, one of my friends (and me too) noticed feeling a bit “euphoric”. Now I don’t know for sure if this was from the tea or if it was more a placebo effect we were feeling. Both enjoyed the taste, saying it had a nice, delicate flavor. I didn’t think it was delicious but I didn’t think it was awful. And I’d have no problem drinking this every day. My husband also tried this tea and liked the flavor but didn’t notice any “instant” effect, but he did try it right before bed and we drank ours in the morning.
According to Nutrition-and-you.com, saffron can also help with asthma, cough, whooping-cough, cancer, intestinal gas, depression, pain, heartburn and PMS symptoms. It can also help with insomnia and in men, premature ejaculation and infertility. (I’m thinking if you’re a couple trying for a baby, you wouldn’t both want to drink this at the same time….you might fall asleep while hubby feels a bit frisky!)
You can also make this recipe with black or green tea…letting the saffron threads steep for 10 minutes in your cup of tea.