Saffron tea is more than just a tasty drink. It's a powerful natural remedy that can boost your mood, memory, eye health and more. But do you know how to make it properly? If not, you might be missing out on some of its amazing benefits.
In this post, we will show you how to make saffron tea the right way and what to expect from drinking it regularly.
When to Add Your Saffron?
Saffron is a sensitive herb/spice so if you want to use the medicinal benefits of saffron tea then you should watch the temperature and add saffron only after the water is cool enough that does not burn your lips. If you add saffron to boiling water, you will lose some of its active compounds and flavor. The ideal temperature for saffron tea is around 70°C (176°F). You can use a thermometer or wait for a few minutes after boiling the water before adding saffron. The cooler the water the longer it would take for Saffron to release its colour and aroma but better protected the chemicals will be. The saffron will take around 5-7 minutes to completely release its goodness into the water.
What Teas Can You Add Saffron To?
You can add saffron threads to all kinds of teas and other flowers, herbs & spices. I like loose leaf English breakfast, so I add my saffron to that. You can try combinations of herbs and spices like cinnamon, cardamom, rose petals, orange blossom and any other flower, spice or plant that you wish to try. Saffron goes well with most flavors and adds a beautiful golden color to your tea. You can also make saffron tea with just warm water and honey or sugar if you prefer.
How Much Saffron Should You Add?
This is totally up to you, and you should experiment with the taste. I like a lot of saffron, so I add around 50-100mg which is a good large pinch. The minimum I would suggest is 20mg for one person, any less than this amount and you will hardly get the benefits or even taste the saffron. Saffron is expensive, but a little goes a long way. You should store your saffron in an airtight container in the refrigerator away from light and heat to preserve its quality.
Please note if you are using saffron powder then you will only need 10-20mg.
What Are the Benefits of Saffron Tea?
Saffron tea can help improve your mood, memory, eye health, blood circulation and weight management. Here are some of the benefits of saffron tea backed by science:
- Mood: Saffron can help boost the production of serotonin in the body, which is a neurotransmitter that regulates mood, appetite and sleep. Studies have shown that saffron can have antidepressant effects and improve symptoms of PMS and menopause.
- Memory: Saffron can help enhance your memory and cognitive function by protecting your brain cells from oxidative stress and inflammation. Studies have shown that saffron can improve memory and learning in Alzheimer's patients and healthy adults.
- Eye health: Saffron can help protect your eyes from age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which is a common cause of vision loss in older adults. Studies have shown that saffron can improve visual acuity and contrast sensitivity in AMD patients.
- Blood circulation: Saffron can help improve your blood circulation by lowering your blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Studies have shown that saffron can reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases and stroke.
- Weight management: Saffron can help you lose weight by suppressing your appetite and increasing your metabolism. Studies have shown that saffron can reduce snacking and body fat in overweight women.
What are the side effects of Saffron tea?
Saffron tea is generally safe for most people to consume in moderation, but it may also have some side effects for some people. Taking large amounts of saffron tea (more than 5 grams) can be dangerous and cause poisoning. Some of the possible side effects include dry mouth, anxiety, agitation, drowsiness, low mood, sweating, nausea or vomiting, constipation or diarrhea, change in appetite, flushing and headache. Allergic reactions can also occur in some people who are sensitive to pollen and saffron. Therefore, it is advisable to consult your doctor before drinking saffron tea if you have any medical conditions or are taking any medications.
What Are the Chemical Ingredients of Saffron?
The most known bioactive compounds of saffron are crocin, picrocrocin and safranal. These chemicals are very volatile, meaning they can change from one form to another with exposure to heat or UV light. This is why we need to be careful with how we store and use saffron.- Crocin is responsible for the color of saffron
- Picrocrocin is responsible for the taste of saffron
- Safranal is responsible for the aroma of saffron
These compounds have various effects on the body such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidepressant, neuroprotective and anticancer properties.
Saffron tea is a wonderful drink that can offer you many health benefits if you make it correctly. By following these simple tips, you can enjoy saffron tea anytime you want and reap its rewards.
So what are you waiting for? Grab some saffron and start brewing today!
