Grade I Negin saffron from Herat, Afghanistan — the top grade of saffron. Deep crimson, all-red threads, no yellow style, no filler. This is the saffron Afghan families cook with, sourced directly through ours.

Why Afghan Negin?

Negin ("gemstone") is the highest grade of saffron: only the all-red tip of the stigma, hand-separated, with no yellow style, so each thread gives the most colour and aroma. Afghan saffron has won international taste awards, and because Negin is all stigma tip, a small pinch goes a long way.

What you get

100% pure Grade I Negin threads — never powder, never blended
Harvest-fresh, sealed in airtight tins to protect aroma
Sourced through our family network in Herat, Afghanistan
Free shipping anywhere in Canada, every size

How much do I need?

A pinch (10–15 threads, about 0.05g) flavours a full pot of rice or a family qorma. The 1g trial tin covers roughly 20 dishes. The 4.6g tin is one traditional mesghal — the measure Afghan and Iranian households have bought saffron in for generations.

How to use it

Grind a pinch with a little sugar, steep in 2 tbsp hot (not boiling) water for 10 minutes, then add the golden liquid to rice, chicken, desserts, or tea. Never add dry threads directly to a hot pan.

Our promise

If the colour, aroma, or bloom isn't what you expected from true Negin, contact us and we'll make it right.

Frequently asked questions

Is Afghan saffron better than Spanish or Kashmiri?
Grade matters more than country. Negin is the top grade — all-red stigma tips with no yellow style — so it gives more colour and aroma per thread than lower grades that include style. When comparing saffron from anywhere, compare the grade first.

How should I store saffron?
Airtight, dark, cool — it keeps 2+ years. Never refrigerate; condensation degrades it.

What is a mesghal?
A traditional unit of about 4.6g used across Afghanistan and Iran for buying saffron.

How do I know it's pure?
Real Negin threads are trumpet-shaped, all-red, and release colour slowly in cold water — fake saffron bleeds instantly. We include a purity card with every order.

Do you ship outside the GTA?
Yes — free shipping Canada-wide on every size.

Buying for a restaurant or buying in volume? See our Bulk & Foodservice saffron — 50g to 1kg.

In Toronto? Free saffron delivery across the GTA →

Premium Afghan Saffron — 100% Pure Grade I Negin