saffron
n. uncountablen. an expensive orange-yellow spice made from dried flowers. It is used to give food a special flavor and a bright yellow color.
n. the dried, thread-like stigmas of the Crocus sativus flower, used as a culinary seasoning and coloring agent. Highly valued for its distinct aroma and intense pigment.
She added a pinch of saffron to the rice.
Traditional paella recipes require high-quality saffron to achieve the characteristic golden color and earthy aroma.
Due to the labor-intensive process of harvesting the delicate stigmas by hand, saffron remains the most expensive spice by weight in the global market.
Etymology tree Aramaic צפרder. Arabic زَعْفَرَان (zaʕfarān)bor. Medieval Latin safranumbor. Old French safranbor. Middle English saffron English saffron Inherited from Middle English saffron, borrowed from Old French safran, borrowed from Medieval Latin safranum, borrowed from Arabic زَعْفَرَان (zaʕfarān), from Aramaic צפר.
Uncountable when referring to the spice in general; can be used as a modifier before other nouns like 'rice' or 'yellow'.