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Red gold from purple flowers: saffron harvest in Kashmir – in pictures

By · Via The Guardian Environment · Published by Everything Blog

In short

Saffron cultivated in Jammu and Kashmir ranks among the most expensive spices worldwide due to its labor-intensive harvest. The crop is primarily grown in the Pampore region of India, yielding valuable threads collected from purple flowers. Often dubbed "red gold" for its high value, the spice has earned a global reputation based on its distinct flavor and aroma.

Key points

  • The labor-intensive harvesting process yields delicate threads that maintain a prestigiou…: The labor-intensive harvesting process yields delicate threads that maintain a prestigious global reputation.
  • Saffron remains prized by international consumers for its high quality, rich aroma, and d…: Saffron remains prized by international consumers for its high quality, rich aroma, and distinctive flavor.
  • The Pampore region serves as the primary hub for cultivating this highly sought-after agr…: The Pampore region serves as the primary hub for cultivating this highly sought-after agricultural product.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

Kashmiri saffron is one of the world’s most expensive spices. It’s primarily cultivated in the Pampore region of Jammu and Kashmir in India. Often referred to as ‘red gold’ because of its high value, saffron is prized for its rich aroma, distinctive flavour and quality

Firdous Nazir/NurPhoto/Shutterstock

Mon 2 Nov 2026 23.37 GMT

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