GI-tagged Kashmiri Mongra saffron, 1 g (Grade A+++)

The planet's most potent saffron, bought at origin with GI traceability — and a fraction of what 'Kashmiri' saffron sells for abroad, where much of it is fake anyway.

Price: 1000 INR (GI-tagged Mongra 1 g (crocin 230–250, ISO 3632) at ₹1,000 on kashmironlinestore.com, checked 2026-07-03; standard GI Mongra runs ₹450–600/g after the 2025–26 price surge)

Where to buy: Sealed GI-labelled packs from Kashmir govt emporia, Spices Board-approved sellers, or reputed online stores delivered to your hotel; Pampore farm shops if you're in Kashmir.

Price checked 2026-07-03

• Kashmiri saffron has the world's highest crocin content (16–17%+) and a GI tag since 2020 — look for the GI logo and lab report
• Prices roughly doubled between 2025 and mid-2026 after poor harvests; anything under ₹300/g is almost certainly adulterated or dyed corn-silk
• Buy Mongra (all-red stigmas) over Lacha (with yellow style) for potency
• Sealed, labelled spice packs clear US and GB customs fine — declare food on US forms