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Quality
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Why is saffron graded?

  • to quantify the quality

By measuring saffron in laboratory conditions against international standards (ISO 3632), we get a measure of its quality and this is used by discerning chefs to ensure that their food has only the most fantastic flavour and aroma
Image of spectrophotometer

ISO Quality Evaluation

The saffron filament samples supplied by Tas-Saff Pty.Ltd. where analysed as described in ISO 3632-2:1993, Saffron-Part 2:Test methods. The results obtained are shown below.
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ISO Test Method Characteristic Sample 1 Sample 2 ISO Requirement
ISO 3632-2 clause 5 Identification Test Samples identified as stigmas and other plant parts of Crocus sativus and not other species Samples identified as stigmas and other plant parts of Crocus sativus and not other species No other vegetable matter to be found other than from Crocus sativus Linnaeus.
ISO 3632-2 clause 6 Floral Waste Content 0.13% 0.11% Category Extra 1 = < 0.5%
ISO 3632-2 clause 7 Extraneous Matter Content 0.02% 0.01% Category Extra 1 = < 0.1%
ISO 3632-2 clause 9 Moisture and Volatile Matter Content 11.7% 11.41% < 12%
ISO 3632-2 clause 10 Total Ash Content 5.01% 4.75% < 8%
ISO 3632-2 clause 11 Acid Insoluble Ash Content 0.29% 0.39% Categories 1 & 2 = < 1.0% Categories 3 & 4 = < 1.5%
ISO 3632-2 clause 12 Crushing and Sieving 0.98% 0.95% More than 95% of the crushed material passes through 500mm sieve
ISO 3632-2 clause 13 Bitterness (Picricrocin content) Absorbance E1%(1cm, 57nm) = 91.7 Absorbance E1%(1cm, 257nm) = 89.7 For Category 1, Absorbance Reading E1%(1cm, 257nm) = > 70
ISO 3632-2 clause 13 Fragrance (Safranal Content) Absorbance E1%(1cm, 30nm) = 27.9 Absorbance E1%(1cm, 330nm) = 23.7 All Categories, Absorbance Reading E1%(1cm, 257nm) = 20-50
ISO 3632-2 clause 13 Colour (Crocins Content) Absorbance E1%(1cm, 440nm) = 198.3 Absorbance E1%(1cm, 440nm) = 229.5 For Category 1, Absorbance Reading E1%(1cm, 257nm) = > 190
ISO 3632-2 clause 14 Identification of Main Characteristics (Thin-layer Chromatography) No extraneous bands evident No extraneous bands evident Observation of the chromatogram in daylight and UV light shows bands for the main components and no other unidentified bands
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Resources

Options Tas-Saff is proudly distributed by Hoyts Tasmania
Tas-Saff saffron can be purchased at every Woolworths and Safeways store in Australia (except in WA), and in selected Coles stores throughout Australia (except in WA).
Find answers to the most common questions asked about saffron and its uses.
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