Saffron is regarded as "the king of spices". From a single flower only three strands of saffron are obtained and it involves a lot of human labour. It is said to be one of the most expensive spices in the world.
I grew up drinking (and hating) turmeric milk, aka "golden milk". While it may seem like it has only become popular recently, drinking this yellow concoction is a staple in most Indian households. Personally, I'm still not a fan of the golden milk despite its health benefits.
When I was on a family trip in Dubai I noticed that they use saffron in several of their dishes. The best was seeing the little red strips floating in my tea! The flavour is subtle but enhances dishes in a way that feels so unique and royal. Definitely fit for a king. Knowing how difficult it is to retrieve this ingredient makes having it that much more special. Saffron can get quite expensive but you need very little of it each time. It's a one-time big investment that will last a very very long time.
Recent studies have found that saffron promotes memory retention
For the rare nights where I feel like I need something warm and comforting, I have been finding myself whipping up some saffron milk. If you are someone who enjoys golden milk anyways, you can just sprinkle a little saffron over the top. This beverage helps me curb late-night cravings. Which if you know me usually means that I am craving something sweet.
Ingredients:
1 serving non-dairy milk of choice
1 tbsp plain, creamy almond butter
1/4 tsp saffron
1 tsp ginger powder
1 tsp cardamom powder (I just crush 1-2 pods of fresh cardamom)
Method:
Add your milk to a saucepan.
Once the milk starts to heat up, add the rest of the ingredients and whisk together well.
Serve in your favourite mug and enjoy!