what is the most expensive spices?

Answer 1

Saffron is the most expensive with pure vanilla being 2nd in line and not a true spice, but more a flavoring. Both are worth the extra $ to have the real thing.

Answer 2

This is a good question and the answer is saffron. Here is a little bit of information I gleaned from the web. The most precious and most expensive spice in the world: Saffron. The Saffron filaments, or threads, are actually the dried stigmas of the saffron flower, "Crocus Sativus Linneaus". Each flower contains only three stigmas. These threads must be picked from each flower by hand, and more than 75,000 of these flowers are needed to produce just one pound of Saffron filaments, making it the world?s most precious spice.
But, because of saffron's strong coloring power and intense flavor, it can be used sparingly. Saffron is used both for its bright orange-yellow color and for its strong, intense flavor and aroma.
Crocus Sativus Linneaus contains crocin, the source of its strong coloring property, bitter-crocin, which offers the distinctive aroma and taste and essential oils which are responsible for its therapeutic properties.
Saffron is available both in filaments and powder, though the long, deep red filaments are usually preferable to the powder as the latter can be easily adulterated.
Today, the greatest saffron producing countries are Greece, Spain, Turkey, Iran, India, and Morocco.
The largest saffron importers are Germany, Italy, U.S.A., Switzerland, U.K., and France.

Answer 3

Saffron is the most expensive spice.

Answer 4

Saffron (Zah'Fa'ron)

Exotic, aesthetic, expensive ... saffron is a spice to be reckoned with.

SaffronSaffron, botanical name crocus sativus, is the most expensive spice in the world. Derived from the dried stigmas of the purple saffron crocus, it takes anything from 70,000 to 250,000 flowers to make one pound of saffron. Moreover, the flowers have to be individually hand-picked in the autumn when fully open. Fortunately, only a little needs to be added to a dish to lend it colour and aroma; too much makes the food bitter and as the quotation from Culpeper (below) suggests, large quantities of it can be toxic.

Iranian Saffron from Khorasan Province in Eastern Iran Records detailing the use of saffron go back to ancient Egypt and Rome where it was used as a dye, in perfumes, and as a drug, as well as for culinary purposes. It reached China in the 7th century and spread through Europe in the Middle Ages. The town of Saffron Walden, where it was once grown commercially, takes its name from the plant. Now, however, most saffron is imported from Iran (southern Khorason) and Spain which are recognised as producing the best quality, but it can also be found in Egypt, Kashmir, Morocco and Turkey.

Answer 5

Saffron, botanical name crocus sativus, is the most expensive spice in the world.

Pure Vanilla - the second most expensive spice in the world derived from the pods of the only edible Orchid.

Cardamom - the third most expensive spice used frequently in East Indian, Scandinavian, Arabic and Central African cuisines. It is an essential ingredient in Arabic coffee and the scent is most enticing.

Answer 6

I think saffron is the most expensive spice. It is made from the little tiny thing in the middle of a flower.

Answer 7

Saffron is the most expensive spice by weight.

Answer 8

Saffron without a doubt,it is painstakingly collected by hand from the tiny crocus flowers growing in some cold countries,we get ours from Kashmir,where it is grown & collected by family units.Each flower yeilds only a small number of stamens,which when aired out to dry is then packaged as the saffron we know.

Answer 9

****SAFFRON: hand picked stems from the crocus plant. Best saffron is from Spain, then Iran.

Best is saffron ice cream (kesar) or saffron cheesecake, very decadent & delicious!

next would probably be the vanilla bean, also very labor intensive.
Best source: tahiti, then madagascar

then cardammom: grown all over India & the Mid East.

Good thing is a little goes a long way! Their flavors are so intense, all you need is a pinch!

Answer 10

Saffron