Where to buy Saffron?

[Tommy C]

Hello all,

Looking to make paella, and in need of saffron. Any ideas where I can find it?

[Phil Coffino]

Order from Vanilla Saffron Imports
online at http://www.saffron.com/
Price and quality are good. For example
Afghan Saffron Threads 1 Ounce $79.95
They operate from and ship from San Francisco
My only interest is as a satisfied customer.

[jpr54_1]

saffron is also available at www.savoryspiceshop.com

[Striver]

Penzey's has three grades of saffron - check with the knowledgeable staff to determine which is best suited for your needs.

[Tommy C]

Went to Kalustyan's, and picked up a small bottle of Spanish saffron. I made seafood paella for the first time, and it came out great! Thanks everyone for the great suggestions!

[bluishgnome]

I got a small bottle of it from Citarella. Not sure if the quality was the best, but it made my paella taste great.

[cincomomo]

trader joes! you get get them in thread form there.

[RGR]

Kalustyan's, on Lex, b/t 28th & 29th Sts., carries saffron.

[chefstu]

Often I buy mine at an Indian grocery store, rather than a foodservice wholesaler.
They usually have the best price.

[financialdistrictresident]

Dual Specialty Store 91 1st Avenue in EV, 212-979-6045 is one possibility. I buy cinnamon sticks, peppercorns, harissa, etc. there. Outer Boroughs may have even cheaper options.

[MikeG]

Either the Indian stores or if they exist near you, a Persian or Iranian market (for Iranian saffron which we can now get legally). Usually it's very good quality Spanish saffron, date marked, at about 1/4 to 1/10 the price of even Penzey's let alone supermarket or Trader Joe's, etc. prices. What I've seen of the Iranian saffron is usually a little more expensive but arguably somewhat better quality. I wish I could find a local source for Kashmiri saffron (Penzey's sells at ~$8+ / g or $225/oz!!) but so far, no luck...

[wahid]

Kashmiri Saffron humm...i'll let you know when my Mom is going to send me. Maybe we can workout a deal ;)