Kashmir's Saffron Leaves 'Silver Varq' Behind in the Price Chase at Rs 5 Lakh/kg!

Saffron from the Kashmir Valley has emerged as a strong competitor to 'silver varq' in terms of price as per recent reports.

Both saffron and 'silver varq' are used for decorating sweets, giving them a premium look and enhancing their appeal to customers. The report indicates that the best-quality, pure saffron is now priced at Rs 4,950 per 10 gm, while 10 gm of 'silver varq' is sold at Rs 800.

On the other hand, gold leaf's price has remained steady, selling for Rs 59,000 per 10 gm, with a 40% increase from the previous year.

The demand for saffron and 'silver varq' in Indian sweets is substantial, and they are considered essential ingredients that add a special touch and flavour to the sweets. Saffron has experienced a 40% price hike compared to the previous year, as per the media reports.

Historically, the use of edible silver garnish on sweets dates back to the Mughal era, where it was a symbol of displaying the wealth of rulers and later became a common practice in sweet decoration.

The price and demand for saffron have surged significantly after receiving the Geographical Indication (GI) tag. This label is applied to products with unique characteristics and a reputation associated with a specific geographical origin. As a result, saffron's cost has increased to Rs. 4.95 lakh per kg from Rs. 2.8 lakh per kg.

The Guruvayur temple in Kerala is the largest bulk buyer of saffron, purchasing 10 kg per month from Thrissur-based Abdul Azeez & Co. They use it to cover the temple deity, combining saffron with turmeric to create a mixture known as Kalabham.

The Guruvayur temple in Kerala is the largest bulk buyer of saffron, purchasing 10 kg per month from Thrissur-based Abdul Azeez & Co. They use it to cover the temple deity, combining saffron with turmeric to create a mixture known as Kalabham.