How The World’s Most Expensive Spice Is Harvested

In this episode of Local Obsessions, Hashim Aslami, a successful saffron producer and Afghanistan’s top advisor in the saffron sector, Hashim talks about the world’s most expensive spice, known as “red gold.” Hashim explains how saffron has impacted Afghanistan’s economy. Saffron, prized for its bright color and savory flavor, is produced entirely by hand and extremely labor intensive and is often used in dishes such as bouillabaisse, paella, tahchin, and risotto milanese among many others. Now, Afghanistan is the third-largest saffron producing country in the world.