The Gathering of Saffron Brand Saffron, Pure Spanish, 1 Ounce - PACK OF 2

A few weeks ago I finished a 3 g bottle of Zaran Saffron purchased from Amazon. It’s expensive and since I drink a cup of saffron tea every evening I thought I would try out the 1 oz tin of The Gathering of Saffron Brand which is more economical. I like the packaging of this product. I like the tin and I like the fact the saffron comes in a ziplock bag (though it’s not a great quality bag) which prevents the saffron from spilling everywhere.The first thing I noticed on examining the saffron threads is that they aren’t uniform in color like the Zaran Saffron brand, which are thick and uniformly a red color. The Gathering brand saffron are 99.9% red wth some yellow-orange threads (not a deal breaker, I’m nitpicking). Also, I think the threads are thinner and brittle. The color is fine, but what really makes this saffron a lesser quality is the aroma. The fragrance of the Zaran Saffron (after I ground it in my pestle and mortar) was so intense, and this Gathering of Saffron brand, even after grinding it in my pestle and mortar, doesn’t have the intensity I got used to with the Zaran brand, it’s weak.I can’t wait to finish this 1oz tin (it’s going to be a while) and then I will go back and purchase Zaran Saffron instead. In the end you get what you pay for.As a tip, the best way to use saffron threads is to steep it in hot water and give it time for the color and flavor to leech into the water. It’s even better if you grind it first. Soaking the saffron in milk doesn’t give the best vibrant color.4/9/18 UpdateThere is a recent comment expressing that this product is fake. That comment has been gnawing at me. I have looked at quite a few videos in the past on YouTube and read articles to check whether the saffron I have been buying is genuine or fake. So the recent comment on The Gathering of Saffron brand expressing that it’s fake made me go back to look at the YouTube videos and research articles again. After testing this saffron at least half a dozen times at home, this saffron passes the test that it’s genuine and that it’s fake. What makes me question the brand even further is the fact that the tin says ‘Packed in Spain’, and elsewhere on the tin it says ‘Selected and Packed in Spain’, it doesn’t say the saffron is from Spain. What makes it worse is at the time of writing this update that the seller has not come back to refute the comment that it’s fake.It’s possible that different sellers are selling this product and some are offering genuine saffron and others are offering saffron of poor quality or worst case scenario it’s fake.After all the tests I’ve done at home I’m none the wiser or being overly cautious whether this product is genuine or fake, though the tests seem to confirm it’s genuine. If it is fake then I’ve wasted my money and someone (the seller) is laughing all the way to the bank. I hope it’s legitimate since even though the product has a faint aroma of saffron (may be because it’s Spanish and not Persian) it has a good color. In summary what bothers me is the faint aroma, whether this is really Spanish, and the writing on the tin.I wish Amazon would vet their sellers. It’s hard enough buying products online and for consumers saffron is probably one of the most difficult products to buy.So overall my advice would be is buyer beware.

Potentially deceptive. The package states "selected and packed in Spain" What this usually means is that they have imported cheaper bulk saffron from Iran and packaged it in Spain. Nowhere does it state "Product of Spain". This also happens with a lot of "Italian" olive oil labeled "Packed in Italy" That is usually Tunisian olive oil imported into Italy in bulk and packaged there.

I've been using "The gathering of Saffron" pure spanish saffron from a long time. Every year I buy my usual 1oz tin. The box I received this time looks like the original box but there are marked differences which raises doubts on authenticity of the product.1) the smell and appearance of strands is inferior, than my current stock2) The metal box has printed near the narrow edge of top " Packed in Spain" instead of expected "Produced in Spain"3) The pasted label on box side says "SAFFRON selected grade" instead of "Pure Spanish Saffron"This seller's price is much lower than comparable other website/sellers but the product definitely raises doubts on its authenticity.

The product clearly stated that this was Spanish saffron. However, the product received clearly states ¨selected and packed in Spain¨ and unlike the picture of the product which states Spanish Saffron, the product received simply states Saffron Selected Grade. Total misrepresentation.

I was a little suspicious as the price is very competitive. I am used to paying $30 per 5 grams for premium quality saffron. So this is a bargain at $80 for 28+ grams.As soon as i got it home i tested it, if it was not up to par, it was going back.Happy to say it is great quality saffron. I checked it with a magnifying glass, no fillers, no stems no junk, just pure threads, 99% + all red, beautiful colors.I took about 25 mg in hot water, lovely color, correct aroma, no bleaching of the threads (a lot of the store brands dye corn threads red to look like saffron, only way to tell is soak them and see if they change color in hot water after 10-15 mins). Result was a great cup of saffron tea with the taste and oil content as expected.Highly recommended for great saffron. I go through a lot of it, so this is a great way to buy it. I use it a lot in cooking (sicilian, indian, moroccan, etc) and also daily to help keep my sight in better shape (if you doubt that, please go read some bone-fide medical studies done on the subject).The packaging is nice as well, but i seal it up in double ziplocks to keep it dry when stored cold.

Water turned red after few minutes.. if it was real, it should turn into greenish yellow but didn’t..FAKE !!! Don’t even think of buying..Low prices! that what we get I guess.

This saffron has no saffron smell or taste at all. As a matter of fact it smells like bleach or chlorine. Even after soaking in water it doesn't have a saffron smell. Unfortunately I didn't open it until after the return window was closed. A very expensive mistake.

We have used many different brands of Spain Saffron, and this one is one of the best we have used. The aroma and flavor when used with different variety of foods and deserts is amazing. 1 box lasts about a year for us and it is the only one we might be using for now. Price is very affordable as well, better than the local stores when we checked, Overall it is a great value product, just make sure to check the product expiration date when you get the item and make sure the batch you get does not have a very old manufacturing date on it.