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Annual production is about 30 kilograms, the quality is remarkable Bulgaria now has another reason to be proud – its native saffron is among the three highest quality in the world, according to international laboratories. The recognition puts our country on the map of producers of “red gold” – the spice, known for its exceptional aroma, medicinal properties and high value. “Yes, saffron is very valuable. It is the real red gold,” said Antonio Bonev, chairman of the Saffron Producers Association, on Nova TV. The spice is harvested entirely by hand, which also explains its high price – over 30 leva/15 EUR per gram. To harvest just one gram of saffron, at least 200 crocus flowers are needed. Producers carefully pluck only the reddest part of the stigma, followed by slow drying at low temperature to preserve the aroma and beneficial properties. Antonio and his wife Rumyana are among the 49 active saffron producers in Bulgaria. For them, it’s not just a business, it’s a cause. “First, we want Bulgarians to have the opportunity to touch the red gold, to taste it and feel its qualities as an herb and spice. Then we’ll think about exporting,” says Antonio. Every autumn, their family gathers to clean and dry saffron threads – a ritual that reminds them of the old days when grandmothers would gather on the benches in the village to work and talk together. The annual production of saffron in our country is about 30 kilograms – a symbolic amount, but of remarkable quality. Bulgarian saffron is already rated as one of the most fragrant and pure in the world, comparable to that from Iran and Spain. The aroma of saffron is indescribably rich, says Rumyana. “Sometimes it’s more honeyed, other times more floral, earthy or rich. At every moment it reveals a new face,” she says. Antonio adds that saffron not only enriches the taste of dishes, but also improves health. “It is antibacterial, analgesic, acts as an adaptogen – where it is needed, it helps the body,” the manufacturer claims. In cooking, saffron is the king of spices – ideal for desserts, savory dishes and drinks. Just one gram is enough for over 140 cups of tea or multiple dishes. More and more culinary academies and chefs are using Bulgarian saffron in their recipes. Manufacturers describe it with one word – love. “It was the first, spontaneous and to this day it does not fade away,” says Rumyana Georgieva. Source: Trud online, Business, 18:56, 26.10.2025 Illustrative Photo by Anna Protsiuk: https://www.pexels.com/photo/closeup-of-blooming-saffron-crocus-flower-26052485
