Saffron cost (was Re: SC - Welcome and sources of ingredients)

[Robin Carroll-Mann]

And it came to pass on 29 Apr 00,, that David Dendy wrote:

> If you are offered saffron for $17/oz US RETAIL, you may feel reasonable
> certain that what you are being offered is not genuine pure saffron. That
> is considerably less than I have ever seen it offered WHOLESALE, even in
> large quantities by major importers.
[snip]

> Yours spicily,
> Francesco Sirene

I should, perhaps, add that this particular store -- a local Indian grocery --
 is advertising it as a special price, "only one per customer", so perhaps 
it's a loss leader (and it's actually $17.99/oz).  I have not seen the 
saffron close up, since they keep it behind the counter.  It is in golden-
colored tin boxes, with cellophane and a thin cord around them, but the 
words "product of Spain" are visible on the side.  Can one tell by looks 
alone if saffron is genuine?


Lady Brighid ni Chiarain
Settmour Swamp, East (NJ)
mka Robin Carroll-Mann
harper at idt.net