A must-have spice for Indian desserts, saffron, a crimson stigma from the saffron crocus, must be handpicked. Grown in the Kashmir Valley, it takes hundreds of thousands of stigma to produce a pound of saffron, making it the most expensive spice in the world. Saffron adds an intense aroma, a floral flavor, and a gorgeous golden color to curries, biryanis, and desserts. Here are some of my favorite recipes using saffron – Chicken Biryani, Cardamom and Saffron trifle and Risotto!