Saffron (Spice)

[starone]

I'm thinking of buying some saffron, mainly because it is supposed to be good for eyesight, including macular degeneration. I have been on to various websites and it appears to be strands - I was thinking of it being a powder, like most spices, or at least small bits. Can anyone tell me how it is used and what sort of food it is best in - even a couple of recipes would be good. It is very expensive so I want to be sure before I buy. Thanks for any help. On one site they have jars of honey and strawberry jam with saffron included in the mixture. Perhaps it would be better to buy it like that - all ready to eat? Any comments would help.

[237SJ]

I`ve only ever had it in sauces - I remember having monkfish in coconut and saffron sauce. It was years ago but so good that I still remember it. Saffron is very expensive though. Tomatoes contain lycopene which is also good for eyesight and tomatoes are a lot cheaper than saffron.

[jno]

cooking ideas

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/421788

You can get it locally grown (some of it from Saffron Walden, obviously)

eg http://www.norfolksaffron.co.uk/

[Svejk]

I've only heard of Saffron rice.
And Saffron Walden where they used to grow it.

[starone]

Thanks 237SJ - you are right about the expense but if it helps with macular degeneration I would consider it money well spent. It takes a long time to cause blindness and the longer I can put it off the better I shall be pleased. There are tests going on but they will not be completed until end of 2014 so tablets are not available yet. Just trying to jump the gun so to speak. I like tomatoes so I eat them quite often.

[nungate]

Saffrom is an expensive spice, but you only need a little of it in cooking. It is used on paella, or just add a strand or two to some rice to make saffon rice. I found a recipe for saffron cake online and with a bit of luck and a following wind it might appear (fingers crossed) http://www.schwartz.co.uk/Recipes/Desserts/Saffron-Cake.aspx?gclid=CIaV3ubd6bcCFZIPtAodBlIA9g

I hope it works,

[starone]

jno - thanks - your links are great. In fact it has encouraged me to buy some and try some of the ways to use it.

[starone]

Whoa, I am being inundated. Shall enjoy reading the links. Thanks everyone, and such quick answers. You are all so kind.

[jno]

in the States (well, some of them) you'd probably be able to treat it with cannabis. I don't know how prices compare, though.

[grasscarp]

I have never heard of saffron being good for this. And it is notoriously expensive to buy.
This website has a lot of information on natural ways to assist against this.
http://eyeadvisory.com/eye-conditions/macular-degeneration-starvation-of-the-retina/

[atalanta]

Watch out - saffron is too often faked

[society]

Saffron being good for the eyesight is news to me. All the reading I do I've not read this or knew this.

Saffron do come in capsule form, I have seen it.

[Mojo-Jo-Jo]

I steep it in hot water, chill it and use it as the water in my pastry for savoury tarts. It tastes lovely as well as giving you golden pastry.