Saffron Sources: Afghanistan, India (Kashmir – Valleys of Himalaya), Iran, Morocco and Spain
Chemical Parameters
(to judge the Saffron qualities):
| Characteristic | Requirement | |
| Saffron in filaments form | Saffron in Powder form | |
| Moisture and volatile matter, % (m/m), max | 12 | 10 |
| Total ash, % (m/m), on dry basis, max. | 8 | 8 |
| Acid-insoluble ash, % (m/m), on dry basis, max. Categories I and II Categories III and IV | 1.0 1.5 | 1.0 1.5 |
| Solubility in cold water, % (m/m), on dry basis, max. | 65 | 65 |
| Bitterness, expressed as direct reading of the absorbance of picrocrocine at about 257 nm, on dry basis, min. Category I Category II Category III Category IV | 70 55 40 30 | 70 55 40 30 |
| Safranal, expressed as direct reading of the absorbance at about 330 nm, on dry categories. min. max. | 20 50 | 20 50 |
| Colouring strength, expressed as direct reading of the absorbance of crocine at about 440 nm, on dry basis, min. Category I Category II Category III Category IV | 190 150 110 80 | 190 150 110 80 |
| Total nitrogen, % (m/m), on dry basis, max.1) | 3.0 | 3.0 |
| Crube fibre, % (m/m), on dry basis, max.1) | 6 | 6 |