Common Name : Dried SAF FLOWER Stamens
Latin Name : Carthamus tinctorius L.
Thai Name : Kham Foi
Vernacular Names : Poor Man's Saffron

Pack Size = 500 grams / 1lb 2 ounces

This Saf Flower originates in Thailand
Product photo shows dried saf flower stamens


Culinary Uses
Gaz recommends - add a pinch or two to a pan of rice before bringing it to the boil - its colour tints the rice and adds a unique flavour similar to saffron rice - if possible, put the Saf flower in a cotton or similar bag to prevent the stamens from mixing with the rice.

Cautions & Warnings
None known

History & Origins
Safflower was originally grown for the flowers that were used in making red and yellow dyes for clothing and food preparation. Today this crop supplies oil, meal, birdseed, and foots (residue from oil processing) for the food and industrial products markets, although it is now primarily grown for the oil.
In addition to its culinary uses, Saf has valuable beneficial effects regarding Cholesterol management.

Throughout Asia, Saf Flower is sold to unknowing tourists as Saffron - it is not saffron.
The volume bought should be the give away - buying a fairly weighty bag, for the same price as a quarter gram of real Saffron from your local supermarket, should give you a clue that you're not genuinely buying Saffron. It's surprising how many bargain hunters get caught.

Traditionally, it was Saf Flower, not saffron, that was used to dye the bright orange robes of Buddhist Monks - this gives an indicator of the colour possible when using it as a colourant with rice and other foods.