Saffron

Saffron the world’s most expensive flavouring, since it takes the stamens – hand-picked – of 70,000 purple saffron crocuses to make a half-kilo (lb). Luckily it has a strong flavour and colour, and is used by the pinch. Avoid powdered saffron, which may be adulterated: go for the thready, dark, red stamens.