Next: about 20 Oct to 8 Nov 2026
Saffron harvest in Kashmir
In late October, the purple crocus fields of Pampore are picked at dawn and the red stigmas are plucked by hand.
Spices for Saffron harvest in Kashmir
Around Pampore, near Srinagar, saffron crocus bulbs flower for just a few weeks in October and November. Families pick the blooms in the early morning before the sun opens them, then sit and pluck out the three crimson stigmas one flower at a time and dry them. About 150 flowers give a gram of dried saffron, which is why it is the world's most expensive spice by weight. Kashmiri saffron is also valued in the local kahwa tea, in rogan josh and in wazwan feasts, and it has a protected geographical indication.
The spices
Also part of it, and being written: Kahwa (Kashmir's green tea with saffron, cardamom and almonds.).
Written by the EveryMasala desk with AI assistance. Background: "Saffron" on Wikipedia. Customs differ from place to place and family to family. If this is your tradition and we have it wrong, tell us.