Spices of Mashhad
The great pilgrimage city of eastern Iran and the commercial centre of the Khorasan saffron region.
Traded and grown here
Best time: October to November, in the saffron harvest.
Mashhad is the capital of Razavi Khorasan and holds the shrine of Imam Reza, which draws millions of pilgrims. Khorasan produces most of Iran's saffron, and Mashhad is a main trading city for it.
Spices and trade
Saffron stigmas are picked from crocus flowers at dawn in autumn, dried and graded. Traders in Mashhad sell saffron, with Torbat-e Heydarieh and Qaen nearby growing areas. Saffron appears in rice, sweets, ice cream and tea.
The place and its people
The shrine of Imam Reza is a place of pilgrimage for Shia Muslims. Pilgrims often buy saffron and sweets as gifts.
Visiting
The saffron harvest in late October and November is the best time to see the crop. Visit the bazaars near the shrine.
A trail idea for Mashhad
- The Imam Reza shrine area Walk the bazaars nearby.
- A saffron shop Learn to judge quality by colour and aroma.
- A sweets shop Try saffron sholeh zard.
- Torbat-e Heydarieh Visit saffron fields in season.
Written by the EveryMasala desk with AI assistance. Background: "Mashhad" on Wikipedia. Opening hours, markets and tours change; check locally before travelling. If something is wrong, tell us.
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