Food stories from Uzbekistan
Buying Saffron in the Bazaar at Samarkand
posted 25.11.24
In October 2024, Sue and Neil from Netherton travelled to Uzbekistan in search of the Silk Road. In this short video meet our guide, Victoria, who was very happy to hear of our interest in and share her knowledge of Central Asian food. In the Siyob Bazaar, Samarkand she gives us a beginner’s lesson in the spice, saffron; what to buy , what not to buy and a great everyday use. Saffron is weight for weight, more expensive than gold and as such is a precious and sought after commodity – no surprise then that just like designer fashions and fancy perfumes, cheap fakes proliferate. Victoria was quick to dismiss the suspiciously cheap packets of dried flower petals masquerading as saffron and as ever, if it looks too good to be true, then it most probably isn’t true!
