Bring zest and vivacity to your culinary creations with our premium Persian delicacies
Once Upon a Field
Hi, I’m Parya Zaghand.
While I think of myself as an Aussie, I’m also proud as punch of my Iranian heritage. So much so, in 2013, I created a business built around the mouth-watering delicacies of Persia; bringing you flavours of the real Iran. I wanted to create a space at the table for the golden-petaled spice: Persian Saffron.
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Strengthen, support and share
Food is the pivot point of Persian culture; essential to everything we do, say or think. We keep stories alive to connect you to the cultural and culinary history of the cuisine and illustrate how these magnificent ingredients are used in different parts of Persia. From how cumin seeds are picked, and pomegranates are de-seeded to the Samovar-specific way of brewing Black Persian Tea. Then it’s your turn to weave these colours, flavours, crunch and munch into your food creations.
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In Persia, food is life
Food is the feather in the cap of Persian hospitality; sharing your bounty is an essential Iranian belief. During breakfast, we debate what’s for lunch, and at lunch, we make plans for dinner. Food in Iran is anything but ordinary; every ingredient combines to create something spectacular. Spicy, but never hot, fragrant, flavourful, complex and textural.
Read moreAmplify your culinary concept, garnish up a storm, add some intense colour, elevate your senses and experiment with our exotic ingredients. Enhance complexity and balance, and tell stories through your food creations. Whether you’re buying bulk, you’re a chef or a serious home cook – browse our Persian products to top up on your favourite staple or try something new.
Choose your flavour adventure
Our rainbow range of ingredients will colour your creations and make aromas and textures shine. Add dimension to your dishes by using saffron, barberries, rose products, dates or pistachios. Elevate your offerings and give your guests Persia on a plate with these extraordinary ingredients.
Nourish your body and soul with delicious dishes, a bounty of sides and a bowl of fresh fruits or nuts piled impossibly high like Persians do it. Rich in history, stories, contrasting landscapes and diverse climates, customs and culture, Persia is a melting pot of ingredients, flavours and cooking methods. Create a sweet Faloudeh (frozen noodles immersed in Rose Water syrup, topped with lime juice and sour cherry jam) or Tahchin(Saffron layered rice cake) from scratch, and invite your favourites to share a real Persian feast.
Ingredients 1½ cups fresh mango 1 cup natural plain yoghurt Generous pinch of ground cardamom 6 saffron threads 4-6 ice cubes Method Blend until smooth.Enjoy chilled! Image credit: Valeria Necchio Source: Life Love Food
Ingredients 6 cups water, + extra for saffron 3-1/2 cups superfine sugar 2 cups lemon juice 2 quarts ice cubes 1 teaspoon saffron threads *8 oz. Vodka may be added to make this an alcoholic drink Method In small stock pot, bring the water to a full boil. Set aside. In a sauce pan, melt […]
Ingredients ⅓ cup raw whole almonds 3 tbsp. melon seeds (from ½ cantaloupe) 3 tbsp. poppy seeds 2 tbsp. raw cashew halves 1½ tbsp. raw shelled pistachios 4 cups whole milk 1½ cups sugar 1 tsp. fennel seeds 10 black peppercorns 10 green cardamom pods 1 1″ stick cinnamon, broken into pieces few strands of […]
Method Take a few strands of saffron and add to a cup of gin. Use a classic gin like Plymouth or Beefeater. Let sit for about an hour or to taste. Since the strands will still be red, you could reuse in another batch. Strain and put in a bottle. Make a gin and tonic. […]
Ingredients 1 pinch of saffron 3 cups basmati rice 1 tsp salt Method In the morning of the day of making the rice, wash it GENTLY (it’s easily damaged) and soak it in heavily salted water for the entire day until evening. Note: after soaking, it’s even more fragile. Take a good pinch of Saffron. […]
Ingredients Greek or plain yogurt Saffron threads, crushed 1 garlic clove, minced 4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves Method Preheat broiler. Combine 1 1/2 cups yogurt, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/8 teaspoon pepper, a pinch of saffron, and garlic in a large bowl. Add chicken, tossing to coat. Let stand at room temperature for 15 minutes. […]
Ingredients red capsicums, 1 left whole, 1 finely chopped 1 pinch saffron threads 2 tsp salt 60 ml (¼ cup) tbsp olive oil 1 brown onion, finely chopped 2 garlic cloves, crushed 1 large tomato, peeled and finely chopped 300 g chicken thigh fillets, diced 200 g squid, diced 300 g calasparra or bomba rice […]
Ingredients 1 pinch saffron threads 1 tbsp warm water 2 limes 1 orange 1 lemon 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, plus extra to serve 1 brown onion, finely chopped 1 zucchini, finely chopped 2 tbsp sweet chilli sauce 1 tbsp caster sugar 250 ml (1 cup) fish stock 50 g (⅓ cup) plain four […]
Here’s a traditional Persian dessert that will definitely stick in your memory — Persian Saffron Rice Pudding, more commonly known in Iran as Sholeh Zard. Small grain rice is cooked to sweet glutinous perfection in water and sugar, then infused with distinctive Persian flavours with rose water and saffron water. The sticky confection is chilled in the fridge and topped with slivered pistachios, ground cinnamon and rose petals or rose buds before serving. […]
Ingredients 1 cup whole milk 1 cup heavy cream 1/4 teaspoon saffron threads 4 whole large egg yolks 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons granulated sugar 1 teaspoon ground cardamom 1/2 cup shelled pistachios Method Combine milk, cream, and saffron in a small saucepan. Bring to mixture just to a rolling boil. Remove from the heat […]
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Treat yourself to a gastronomic journey to Iran with every bite of this Persian delicacy! Taking its name after the city of Yazd, the capital of Yazd province in Central Iran, it’s a cupcake that keeps you salivating for more with its rich saffron flavor, sweet note of vanilla, fragrant rose water, and crunchy pistachio […]
Wherever you look, Persia is a mix of past, present and future. Experience the bustling bazaars and see the changing colours of the folded ochre mountains, the purple pop of saffron fields and minaret-silhouetted skylines. Everywhere you go, you’ll encounter warm, welcoming faces; feasting in a restaurant, walking the dynamic streets or admiring the ornate ceilings in a mosque. Smells of spices and baking bread lie thick in the air, while girls giggle, sing and weave. Iran is safe, friendly and warm; sharing tea in a Persian home is “Hospitality” defined. It’s an all-sensory experience set to a soundscape of awakening prayer calls, rattling teacups and bubbling water-pipes. Go where life is alive!
By Franz Scheurer The first time I went to Iran was to photograph the saffron and barberry harvests and I loved the place so much I went back… and I will be going back, again. Iran, portrayed as the baddie by western propaganda is nothing like it’s painted by malice and jealousy. What the west […]
A rich heritage told with every thread — this is how one can describe the ornate fashion of Iran. As colourful as they are historic, as vibrant as they are diverse, and as distinct as they are relatable, Persian fashion is one that has inspired the most epic stories and awe-inspiring sceneries that weave through […]
It’s almost impossible to walk around bazaars and markets in Iran without coming across a store that sells beautiful Persian rugs. These ornately woven masterpieces are a favourite among homemakers and professional interior designers because of their quality and the attention to detail that goes into them. Persian carpets also represent the rich heritage of […]
Iranians take breakfast seriously… like seriously! It’s not uncommon to see Iranians enjoying a hearty combination of cheeses, Persian bread and omelette, lentil stew called Adasi, fresh veggies and herbs, a variety of jams, nuts and freshly brewed tea to start their day. All these in one seating! Burp! Now that’s what we call a […]
Is the wanderlust in you itching to explore? Aside from the sights and sounds, you’re probably craving to taste the best food the world has to offer. Once international travel becomes possible again, book a ticket to Iran with us and we’ll make sure to include Vakil-o-Tojjar Restaurant as one of your gastronomic pit stops. […]
Another milestone unlocked for us here at Saffron and More as we were recently invited by the Sydney European Bartender School to lead a Persian cocktail masterclass featuring our premium Iranian ingredients. Attended by mixologists from all over Sydney as well as lover-of-everything-Persian and foodie extraordinaire Franz Scheurer, great flavours flowed with 8 Persian-inspired cocktails […]
When one mentions Iran, the first images that come to mind are expansive sun-scorched deserts 🏜️ a warm Middle Eastern paradise. But did you know that Iran is a country that is blessed with four seasons and from the third week of December to the third week of March, many of its beautiful mountain ranges […]
We’ve all heard of the expression ‘paint the town red.’ Well, Iran’s historic village of Abyaneh is the literal embodiment of this phrase. One of Iran’s oldest villages, it features astonishing red houses and other structures made from the area’s iron oxide-rich soil. The Jameh Mosque which was built in the 11th century is arguably […]
As Saffron Threads find their way into more kitchens, it’s key to remember one important thing: Not all Saffrons are created equal. How do you distinguish the cream of the crop from low quality ones? Use the 4S Test: See: Top-quality saffron threads are dark red that may have a tiny yellowish tail while low-quality […]
One of the misconceptions people have about Iran is it’s all about deserts and sand dunes when in fact, it’s teeming with rich and diverse natural sceneries. A great example of which is the Hormuz Red Beach in the Hormozgan Province in the south of Iran. Yep, you heard that right — an Insta-worthy red […]
As Saffron Threads find their way into more kitchens, it’s key to remember one important thing: Not all Saffrons are created equal. How do you distinguish the cream of the crop from low quality ones? Use the 4S Test: See: Top-quality saffron threads are dark red that may have a tiny yellowish tail while low-quality […]
Love milk? Dairy or non-dairy as it is, milk is already nutritious and considered as a superfood. But why not supercharge your glass of favourite milk by adding a pinch of saffron powder and making your own Saffron Milk? Also known as Kesar Doodh in India, saffron milk is known for its health benefits such […]
Are you experiencing a snacking rut and getting tired of the same nibbles day in and day out? Here’s something to add to your snacking repertoire — Stuffed Dates from Saffron and More. It’s like a delicious dream within a delicious dream with plump Persian Dates stuffed with earthy and crunchy Pistachios and Almonds. It’s […]
Drool alert! Did anyone say #PersianRicePie? Check out this delicious Persian Style Rice Pie from our good friend Chef Franz Scheurer. Fluffy rice is stir-fried with saffron, barberries, pomegranate juice, raisins, almonds, coriander, cumin, chopped apricots and a pinch of chilli. For extra richness, add a dollop of creamy butter. Fill puff pastries of your […]
Sweet tooth? Then listen to this — #Didyouknow that aside from raw honey, pure and all-natural #datesyrup like the one available on #SaffronAndMore is a great alternative to refined sugar? It sits low on the glycemic index and has lower fructose content versus other natural sweeteners. It’s also a nutrient powerhouse and is packed with […]
#NuttyFact: When we talk about the world’s love long-standing love affair with pistachios, we often think of the Middle East. But #didyouknow that the pistachio craze was already a global phenomenon since hundreds of years ago? Here’s a great example: In ancient Rome, a cookbook that was compiled in the 1st century A.D. — yep, […]
Fun Fact Alert — Almost all of us grew up loving candies. But #didyouknow that in Iran, a particular type of candy isn’t only enjoyed as a sweet treat or used as a beverage sweetener but also plays an important role in traditional Persian medicine as well? #RockCandy a.k.a. Nabat, is said to have a […]
FunFact Alert: Here’s stating the nutty obvious — the world loves pistachios! In many cultures, pistachios are a part of many rituals and celebrations. Here’s something interesting — in Korea, during the celebration of the Full Moon Day or “Daeboreum” friends and families gather together to eat pistachios. The Koreans believe that the sounds made […]
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