Kashmiri Saffron Guide: Grades, Testing and Buying
How Kashmiri saffron is grown and graded, the GI tag, simple tests to spot fakes, where to buy and how to store and use it.
Kashmir is famous for its crafts, and a little knowledge goes a long way. Here is how to buy the real thing and avoid paying Pashmina prices for machine-made copies.
Pashmina shawls
Genuine Pashmina is spun from the fine undercoat of the Changthangi goat and woven by hand. It is light, very warm and soft against the skin.
- Look for the GI label: certified Kashmir Pashmina carries a Geographical Indication tag.
- Check the weave: hand-woven shawls show tiny irregularities. A perfectly uniform weave suggests a machine.
- Expect a real price: a pure Pashmina shawl costs several thousand rupees or more. Very cheap “Pashmina” is usually a blend or synthetic.
Saffron
Kashmiri saffron, grown on the plateau around Pampore, is prized for its deep colour and strong aroma. It is harvested from late October to mid-November.
- Look for: long, deep-red threads with a slightly lighter tip.
- Test: genuine saffron slowly releases a golden-yellow colour in warm water. Fake saffron bleeds red quickly.
- Buy: from government emporiums, cooperatives or trusted shops, ideally with GI certification.
Carpets
Hand-knotted Kashmiri carpets in silk or wool can take months to make. Turn the carpet over: on a hand-knotted piece, the pattern is clearly visible on the back and the knots are slightly uneven. Ask for the knot count and a certificate of origin.
Other things to bring home
- Papier-mâché: hand-painted boxes, bowls and ornaments.
- Walnut-wood carving: trays, boxes and furniture.
- Dry fruits: walnuts, almonds and apricots.
- Kashmiri Kahwa mix and spices.
- Crewel and chain-stitch embroidery: cushion covers and bedspreads.
Where to shop in Srinagar
- Government Central Market and emporiums: fixed prices and certified goods.
- Polo View and Residency Road: established handicraft stores.
- Lal Chowk and Badshah Chowk: busy local markets, good for dry fruits and spices.
- Old city workshops: ask your guide to take you to a family workshop to see the craft being made.
Our tip: never feel pressured to buy, and get a written bill for anything expensive.