Red gold from purple flowers: saffron harvest in Kashmir

Kashmiri saffron is counted among the most expensive spices in the world. It is grown mainly in the Pampore area of Jammu and Kashmir, in northern India. The British newspaper The Guardian has covered the harvest in a photo gallery, whose title stresses that the spice comes from purple flowers.

Saffron is often called "red gold" because of its high value. It is prized for its rich aroma, distinctive flavour and quality.

The source material is a photo feature, so it gives no figures on harvest volumes, prices or the number of growers.