Aethon Overseas
Spices & Herbs

Saffron (Kesar)

ISO 3632 Grade 1. Deep red stigmas, highest crocin, for premium retail.

Saffron (Kesar)
Lab-TestedExport-GradeWorldwide Shipping

Saffron from India — sourced, graded and export-ready.

The saffron fields of Pampore in Jammu & Kashmir produce what many consider the world's finest saffron — deep crimson stigmas, overpowering aroma, and the highest crocin content of any saffron variety globally. Aethon Overseas sources Kashmiri Mongra Grade saffron directly from Pampore farmers. Every batch is ISO 3632 certified with documented crocin, picrocrocin, and safranal values. This is the premium saffron demanded by Middle Eastern markets, European chefs, and discerning consumers worldwide.

Aethon Overseas supplies saffron available as mongra saffron, lacha saffron, saffron powder. From trial samples to multi-container annual contracts, every lot is cleaned, graded and quality-checked before shipment — with a Certificate of Analysis, phytosanitary certificate and full export documentation included.

Product Specifications

ParameterSpecificationNotes
GradeMongra (Grade 1) / Lacha (Grade 2)ISO 3632:2011 classification
Crocin (colour strength)Minimum 200 (Mongra)Spectrophotometric method per ISO 3632
Picrocrocin (bitterness)Minimum 70ISO 3632 method
Safranal (aroma)20–50ISO 3632 method
MoistureMaximum 12%ISO 3632 method
Ash ContentMaximum 8%ISO 3632 method
Foreign Colour0% (Mongra)Visual + spectroscopic

Nutritional Information

Typical values per 100 g, edible portion — sourced from USDA FoodData Central and the Indian Food Composition Tables (ICMR-NIN, 2017). Lot-specific values are documented on the NABL-accredited Certificate of Analysis shipped with every consignment.

Macronutrients

NutrientPer 100 g
Energy310 kcal
Protein11.4 g
Total Fat5.85 g
Carbohydrate65.4 g
Dietary Fibre3.9 g
Sugars

Minerals

MineralPer 100 g
Calcium (Ca)111 mg
Iron (Fe)11.1 mg
Magnesium (Mg)264 mg
Phosphorus (P)252 mg
Potassium (K)1724 mg
Sodium (Na)148 mg
Zinc (Zn)1.1 mg

Vitamins

VitaminPer 100 g
Vitamin A27 µg RAE
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)80.8 mg
Vitamin E (alpha-toco)— mg
Vitamin K— µg
Thiamin (B1)0.12 mg
Riboflavin (B2)0.27 mg
Niacin (B3)1.5 mg
Vitamin B61.01 mg
Folate93 µg

Functional / Quality Markers

MarkerTypical value / range
PicrocrocinMajor
Crocin (colour)10-30%
Safranal (aroma)0.001-0.01%

References: USDA FoodData Central · Indian Food Composition Tables (ICMR-NIN 2017) · category-specific industry quality benchmarks. Values vary by variety, growing region, season and processing — request a per-lot COA for actual shipment values.

Available Forms & Variants

  • Mongra Saffron: Grade 1 — pure stigmas only
  • Lacha Saffron: Grade 2 — stigma with style
  • Saffron Powder: Finely ground stigmas

Uses & Applications

  • Biryani, paella, Persian rice dishes
  • Saffron milk, rasmalai, confectionery
  • Premium restaurant cuisine
  • Saffron tea and golden milk
  • Premium health drinks
  • Luxury cocktail garnishing
  • Anti-depressant formulations
  • Anti-anxiety and mood supplements
  • Ayurvedic medicine preparations
  • Anti-aging and skin brightening
  • Luxury face masks and serums
  • Eye health supplements

Packaging & Shipping

Pack TypeSizes AvailableMOQ
Glass Vials0.5g, 1g, 2g50g
Tin Boxes5g, 10g, 25g50g
Bulk100g, 250g, 500g50g
  • Air Freight: 3–7 days worldwide
  • Sea Freight (FCL): 15–35 days
  • Incoterms: FOB, CIF, EXW available
  • Port of Loading: Mundra / JNPT / Nhava Sheva
  • Documentation: All export documentation included

Quality Assurance & Documentation

  • Certificate of Analysis (COA) — NABL-accredited lab testing per batch
  • Phytosanitary Certificate — Issued by Plant Quarantine, Govt. of India
  • APEDA Registration — Mandatory agri export certification
  • FSSAI License — Indian food safety compliance
  • Fumigation Certificate — ISPM-15 compliant wooden packaging

Indicative Pricing & Lead Time

Grade / FormMOQIndicative FOBLead Time
Trial sampleSmall sampleFree + freight at cost5–7 days
Standard grade1 MT / 1 containerUSD on request2–3 weeks
Premium grade1 MT / 1 containerUSD on request2–3 weeks
Bulk container (FCL)10–25 MTVolume discount3–4 weeks
Annual contractMulti-container/yearNegotiated pricingMulti-shipment schedule
Trusted worldwide

Why Aethon Overseas.

Four reasons importers, distributors and food manufacturers in 30+ countries choose us to source saffron from India.

Direct from source

Sourced direct from Pampore, Pulwama District, Jammu & Kashmir — no mandi middlemen, competitive and transparent landed cost.

NABL-tested every lot

Every consignment ships with a Certificate of Analysis covering moisture, pesticide residue (EU MRL), microbiology and product-specific quality parameters.

End-to-end logistics

FOB Mundra/JNPT, CIF to any port or EXW Ankleshwar — phytosanitary, COO and destination compliance docs included.

Trial to contract

From small trial samples to multi-container annual contracts — one supplier across your full sourcing range.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Common questions about sourcing saffron from Aethon Overseas.

Quality is measured using ISO 3632:2011 standards, specifically focusing on Crocin (color strength), Picrocrocin (bitterness), and Safranal (aroma). Our Mongra Grade saffron consistently tests for Crocin levels above 200, making it Grade 1.

Saffron from Pampore, Kashmir, is known for its exceptionally deep crimson color and thick, long stigmas. The unique soil of the Karewas plateaus and the high altitude result in higher concentrations of active compounds compared to any other global origin.

We offer Mongra Saffron (pure stigmas), Lacha Saffron (stigmas with style), and Saffron Powder. These are used in premium culinary dishes, pharmaceutical formulations (mood boosters), and high-end skincare/cosmetic products.

Due to its high value, our MOQ for Saffron is as low as 50 grams for initial sampling, with bulk supply in 100g, 250g, and 500g air-tight containers. We provide specialized express air-freight shipping for all saffron orders.

Get In Touch

Let's grow something great together.

Whether you're an importer, distributor or food manufacturer, our export team is ready to support your sourcing with premium quality, certified compliance and reliable global delivery.

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