The methods of distinguishing the true from the false of saffron: soaking in water, color, shape details, smell and paper pressing.

1. Color of soaking in water

Although the real crocus is red in appearance, it is golden yellow in soaking water, while the fake one must be dyed in red, and the soaking water should be red. Some people may argue that some red clothes will not fade in soaking water, but in this case, it should be colorless after soaking in water.

2. Shape details

It's really saffron, with a thick end and a thin end, and the thick end is irregularly serrated.

3. Smell the fragrance

Authentic saffron has a strong floral fragrance, which is very special, while fake or adulterated goods have a weak or even no smell.

4. Paper pressing method

Take a little saffron paper and wrap it in the middle and squeeze it hard. There should be no oil stains on the paper, otherwise it will be doped with minerals or vegetable oil.

Morphological characteristics of saffron

Saffron (Pinhui Essentials), also known as Bofulan (Drinking and Eating) and Safulan (Pinhui Essentials). Perennial herbs. Underground bulbs are spherical and covered with brown membranous scales. 9 ~ 15 leaves, white bulbs, sessile, narrow and long linear leaves, 15 ~ 2 cm long and 2 ~ 3 cm wide, the leaf margin is rolled back with fine hairs, and the base is surrounded by 4 ~ 5 broad scales.

The flower is terminal, with a diameter of 2.5 ~ 3cm; Perianth 6 pieces, obovate, lavender, tube 4 ~ 6 cm long, thin tube; 3 stamens, large anthers and arrow-shaped base; Pistil 3, carpels united, lower ovary, long and thin style, yellow, three-parted at the top, hanging out of the tube, crimson, slightly enlarged at the top of the stigma, with a funnel-shaped opening. Capsule, long, with three obtuse edges, about 3 cm long and 1.5 cm wide, reaches the ground when the fruit is ripe. Seeds are numerous, spherical and leathery. The flowering period is from early to mid-November.