Princesa de Minaya Saffron, D.O. La Mancha

The definitive gourmet food guide in Spain says Princesa de Minaya is “An artisanal saffron of immense quality”. Unquestionably the best of the best, this saffron will add a deep, authentic flavor to paella and other dishes. It surpasses the highest international standards in flavor and color.

For several generations the family of Maria Ángeles and Juan Antonio Serrano has cultivated the highest quality saffron in Spain – if not the world - on their ten acre plot. They need about 200 crocus flowers to obtain the gram of saffron you find packed in this bottle.

Princesa de Minaya adds a bright golden color and intense saffron flavor to your paella and all saffron dishes. Saffron is the fundamental flavor of paella, and in our experience Princesa de Minaya can make the difference between a good and a great paella.

During the harvest, this family collects, prunes and toasts saffron on a daily basis, which has a decisive effect on its aromatic, flavor profile and coloring strength—and all three are very intense. Their production for the year is no more than 50 pounds depending on the harvest.

Since saffron is such a precious condiment, the market is being flooded with many inferior grades and outright counterfeits. The ‘Denomination of Origin La Mancha’ seal on each jar guarantees that Princesa de Minaya is actually grown in La Mancha, the site of the finest saffron (azafrán) in the world, and matches the highest standards.

Our saffron is Category I which is the highest quality - the color and flavor intensity must be rated more than 190. Princesa de Minaya has never tested below 190 and is often above 200 (according to the international standard ISO-3632-2).