Saffron Quality & Testing
How we stand behind our Kashmiri Mongra saffron: GI-tagged Pampore origin and Mongra grade. We are transparent about what we test and what we do not — including independent ISO 3632 batch testing available on request for bulk orders over 1 kg.
How We Stand Behind Quality
We would rather be clear than impressive. Here is exactly what our quality assurance covers, and what it does not.
GI-Tagged Origin
Our saffron is sourced farm-direct from Pampore in Kashmir, the region covered by the Kashmir saffron GI (geographical indication) tag. The GI tag is a legal indication of origin.
Mongra Grade
We sell Mongra saffron: the deep-red stigma tips, hand-separated from the flower with the yellow style trimmed away. Grade describes which part of the flower is used and how clean the sort is.
Bulk Lab Testing
Independent ISO 3632 testing is available on request for bulk orders over 1 kg, arranged through a third-party laboratory at the customer's cost. The certificate then reflects that specific consignment.
What we do not claim
We do not lab-test every retail batch, and retail packs do not ship with an individual certificate of analysis. Any figures on this page are representative ranges for Kashmir Mongra saffron in general, not test results for a specific pack. Per-batch ISO 3632 testing is offered only for bulk orders over 1 kg, on request and at the customer's cost.
What ISO 3632 Measures
ISO 3632 evaluates saffron on three compounds using UV-Vis spectrophotometry. Each determines a different quality dimension.
Crocin
Colour strength · λ 440 nm
Glycoside derivatives of crocetin — the pigment responsible for saffron's golden-yellow colour in food. Higher crocin means fewer threads needed per dish.
Picrocrocin
Bitter flavour · λ 257 nm
The glycoside behind saffron's characteristic bitter taste. It degrades into safranal during storage, so high picrocrocin tends to indicate freshness.
Safranal
Aroma intensity · λ 330 nm
A monoterpene aldehyde formed from picrocrocin — the molecule behind saffron's hay-like, honey-sweet fragrance. Too much can signal over-dried saffron.
ISO 3632 Grade Thresholds
The international standard classifies saffron into three categories by measured colour, flavour, and aroma.
| ISO Grade | Crocin (colour) | Picrocrocin (flavour) | Safranal (aroma) | Label |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category I | ≥ 190 | ≥ 70 | 20–50 | Premium |
| Category II | ≥ 150 | ≥ 55 | 20–50 | Standard |
| Category III | ≥ 100 | ≥ 40 | 20–50 | Economy |
Source: ISO/TS 3632-2:2003 — Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) quality specification.
What a Lab Test of Kashmir Mongra Typically Shows
When Kashmir Mongra saffron is tested to ISO 3632, results commonly land in Category I, the premium band. The ranges below are representative figures for Kashmir Mongra saffron in general, drawn from occasional independent testing and published literature.
These are indicative ranges only. They are not test results for any specific pack, and they are not a guarantee of the values in any particular order.
Typical Compound Ranges (indicative)
ISO Cat I ≥ 190
ISO Cat I ≥ 70
ISO range 20–50
Values are representative for Kashmir Mongra saffron and vary by harvest year, terroir, and processing. Not a certificate of analysis.
How Kashmir Mongra Compares in the Literature
For context, a representative Kashmir Mongra profile is shown alongside peer-reviewed data. A 2021 study in Foods (MDPI) analysed saffron from several Italian growing regions using HPLC-DAD.
The Kashmir Mongra row is a representative, indicative figure, not a certified result for any product we sell. Source: Predieri, S. et al. “Chemical Composition and Sensory Evaluation of Saffron.” Foods 10(11):2604, 2021. Open-access (CC BY 4.0). View original study →
| Origin | Total Crocins (mg/g) | Picrocrocin (mg/g) | Safranal (mg/g) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kashmir Mongra (representative)Representative | 255 | 92 | 38 |
| Sardinia, Italy (SA) | 302 | 74 | 3.1 |
| Central Tuscany (CT) | 617 | 113 | 0.48 |
| South Tuscany (GR) | 397 | 29 | 2.66 |
Why These Numbers Matter in the Kitchen
Peer-reviewed data shows that safranal concentration correlates with perceived aroma intensity, while crocin drives colour. Kashmir Mongra saffron is known for a high safranal profile, which is why a few threads can carry the distinctive saffron fragrance in biryani, risotto, or kesar milk.
Practical tip: for everyday cooking, 4 to 6 threads of high-crocin Mongra saffron is usually enough for one litre of liquid. Lower-crocin saffron can need two to three times as much for the same colour, which makes high-crocin saffron more economical per dish despite the higher price per gram.
Batch-Wise Lab Testing for Bulk Orders
If you are ordering more than 1 kg, you can request an independent ISO 3632 test for your specific consignment. Here is how it works.
Request
Tell us you want batch testing when you enquire about a bulk order over 1 kg.
Independent Lab
The consignment is sampled and sent to a third-party laboratory for ISO 3632 analysis.
You Pay the Test
The laboratory testing cost is paid by you, the customer, on top of the order.
Certificate
The lab issues a certificate of analysis for that specific consignment, shared with you.
Saffron Quality & Testing FAQ
Do you lab-test every pack of saffron you sell?
What quality assurance do I get with a retail order?
Can I get a lab report for my order?
What does a lab test of Kashmir Mongra saffron usually show?
What is ISO 3632 and why does it matter for saffron?
How can I check saffron quality at home?
References & Disclaimer
- Predieri, S.; Magli, M.; Gatti, E.; Camilli, F.; Vignolini, P.; Romani, A. “Chemical Composition and Sensory Evaluation of Saffron.” Foods 2021, 10, 2604. PMCID: PMC8618029. PubMed Central
- ISO/TS 3632-2:2003 — Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) — Test methods. International Organization for Standardization.
Disclaimer: The compound ranges and comparison figures on this page are representative, indicative values for Kashmir Mongra saffron in general. They are based on occasional independent testing and published literature. They are not test results for any specific pack, and they are not a guarantee of the values in any order. Retail saffron is sold on the basis of its GI-tagged origin and Mongra grade, not an individual per-pack laboratory certificate.
Independent, batch-specific ISO 3632 testing is available only for bulk orders over 1 kg, arranged on request through a third-party laboratory, with the testing cost paid by the customer. Comparative Italian values are cited from Predieri et al. (2021) and represent their specific samples, not commercial averages.
Saffron quality varies by harvest year, terroir, cultivar, and post-harvest processing. This page is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute a medical, nutritional, or therapeutic claim.
GI-Tagged Kashmiri Mongra Saffron
Farm-direct from Pampore, sold on the strength of its GI-tagged origin and Mongra grade. Ordering more than 1 kg? Ask us about independent batch testing for your consignment.