What is Saffron (Kesar) and Why is it Used in Sweets?

Saffron, also known as Kesar in India, is one of the most expensive spices in the world. Noted for its vibrant golden hue, floral flavour, and intense aroma, it is regarded as a prized ingredient in sweet dishes, especially in Indian, South Asian, Middle Eastern, and European cuisines.

In this space, we are going to gain a deeper understanding of this treasured spice and why it is used in some of the most exotic sweets in the world. We are also going to look at its various health benefits and some ways you can incorporate them into your everyday cooking.

What is Saffron?

Saffron is a spice that consists of the dried, thread-like red stigmas of the Crocus sativus flower, which are meticulously hand-plucked and dried before consumption. This perennial herb gets around 10-25 cm tall and blooms with beautiful purple flowers at the beginning of the fall.

It has been used for centuries both as a culinary ingredient and as a natural dye. This spice has a long and storied history. Humans have been growing saffron since 1600–1700 BC. It is widely grown in several parts of the world, including India, China, and the Middle East.

Although the exact origins of saffron are often debated, it is believed that it originated in Iran. It was heavily revered for its medicinal properties in Iran. People would consume saffron to improve memory and boost mood.

Why is it used in Sweets?

Saffron is used in various sweets to impart a rich, complex flavour, a delicate floral aroma, and a distinctive golden colour. It helps in adding a touch of royalty and luxury and is associated with special occasions and celebrations, enhancing the taste and visual appeal of various dishes such as Shrikhand, Kheer (rice pudding), and Gulab Jamun, among others.

Here is how saffron enriches a sweet dish or dessert.

Flavour

Saffron contributes a luxurious and distinct flavour that boosts the overall taste of desserts, making them more aromatic, rich, and complex. Saffron, when used in small amounts, has a complex flavour with honey-like, earthy, and floral notes. This pairs magically with other dessert components like milk, nuts, cardamom, and cream.

Colour

Saffron gives sweets a signature golden hue, transforming simple desserts into visually appealing, cherished, and festive treats. The rich, golden-yellow hue is generated since it contains a carotenoid pigment known as crocin. This visual treat denotes a high-quality, elegant confection.

Aromatic Qualities

The captivating fragrance of saffron adds a unique dimension to the sensory experience of a dessert. Its distinct fragrance comes from the chemical compound safranal, which gets released when the threads are intricately warmed. In sweet dishes, this creates a fragrant and enticing aroma that improves the overall culinary experience.

Luxury and Celebration

In many cultures across the world, especially India, saffron is associated with luxury and is usually used in dishes for festivities, special occasions, and celebrations, heightening a simple dish to a more prestigious status. Because of its high price and labour-intensive production, it has long been a symbol of royalty and wealth. Including it in desserts, such as in Indian Kheer or Rasmalai, can elevate them for special events and festive occasions.

Ayurvedic and Wellness Properties

Saffron is valued for its health benefits in many ancient scripts, including its antioxidant, and digestive properties. Adding it to warm beverages such as Kesar Doodh (saffron milk) and desserts offers a healthy, feel-good aspect to an indulgence.

Health Benefits of Saffron

Saffron is not added to dishes for its hue and fragrance, but also because of the various health benefits it carries. Let us take a look at the most notable ones among them.

Aids in Digestion

Saffron may immediately help with digestive issues like indigestion and gas. It aids with amoebic dysentery as well. Since it has anti-inflammatory properties, it helps in soothing the digestive tract, improving nutrient absorption, stimulating digestive enzymes, leading to a healthier digestive system and better elimination.

Brighter Skin

It has been used to treat skin conditions for centuries. Saffron can help refresh the face, decrease dark circles under the eyes, improve complexion, and manage acne and infections of the superficial layer of your skin (erysipelas).

Furthermore, it has also been seen that it protects the skin from UV damage caused by the rays of the sun. As such, it is an ideal natural sunscreen for those with sensitive skin.

Antioxidant Agent

Saffron is noted for its antioxidant properties. It helps in the battle against cell deterioration and may serve as a shield against cancer and other disorders. Furthermore, it has been found that it may benefit your nervous system and brain.

The presence of safranal, crocetin, and crocin may aid in memory and learning improvement. They may also potentially serve as a defence against dreadful neurological diseases such as Parkinson's.

Saffron for Eyes

It may help to protect the eyes from damage and disease. It has been used to prevent eye infections, which is why it is used in the form of ‘Kohl’ for lining their eyes, as a form of makeup. It may also help lower the destruction of photoreceptor cells in the eye that takes place due to high exposure to light.

How to Incorporate Saffron into Your Life?

As a spice, saffron has been used for centuries. It can be used for making tea and candies, or as a natural food dye. When soaked with basil leaves and applied to the skin, it can be a great remedy for acne.

Soaked saffron, when mixed with virgin coconut oil, olive oil, or raw milk and applied to skin, can aid in enhancing facial blood circulation. If you want to make saffron tea, you can dip and soak a few threads in hot water.

You can also use saffron to give pastries, cakes, and biscuits a delicious aroma and a buttery golden hue. Saffron and cardamom-infused coffee is regarded as a heart-healthy and calming beverage.

Many people add it to their Biryani recipe. Some add it to their sparkling apple cider to transform it into a golden nectar. To transform a glass of champagne or sparkling apple cider into a golden nectar, crush a tiny bit of saffron into the beverage.

Enjoy the Best of Saffron Sweets with MyGovindas

Here at MyGovindas, we delicately use saffron in our desserts to give them a royal touch. Try our Kaju Kesar Katli, Rajbhog, Sugar-free Kesar Pista, Jgeery Kesar Pista, Kesar Pista Moods, Malai Roll, Angoori Rasmalai, or the Matka Kulfi for experience desserts and ice-creams with a saffron touch.

Our chefs curate these recipes in their traditional form, keeping all health and hygiene standards in place for your pleasure. Sit down at our veg restaurants in Dubai in Karama, JLT, Silicon Oasis, or Arjan, or simply order online to get your favourite saffron sweets in Dubai from us.