By Robert Hackwill

​It is one of the world’s most precious products, worth more than its weight in gold. Saffron, prized at dinner tables around the world, is a spice only found in minute quantities in each saffron crocus. Between 110,000 to 170,000 saffron flowers are needed to make a kilo of the rare flavouring and colouring agent.

Iran has one of the world’s most prized crops, and could produce 300 tons this year, some 90% of the world total. Spain and Kashmir are also producers.

“We were able to make a healthy and organic product, but unfortunately it is exported by dealers. They export it to other countries under their own brand,” says farmer Rasoul Bolbol.

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