MINA SAHAR
SAFFRON
Bringing you the finest ethically-sourced saffron from Afghan farms to your table.
WELCOME TO MINA SAHAR SAFFRON
OUR MISSION is to bring you the finest saffron and spices from Afghanistan.
OUR SPICES are ethically-sourced and support clean agriculture and women farmers in Afghanistan.
HARVESTING HOPE
Saffron brings hope to war-torn Afghanistan where 80% of jobs are tied to agriculture and women are the primary harvesters.
Supporting Mina Sahar Saffron directly impacts Afghan women's economic wellbeing and cultivates the dream of a peaceful and economically stable Afghanistan.
OUR SIGNATURE PRODUCTS
SAFFRON THREADS
We import single-origin, ethically-produced saffron from Herat, Afghanistan. Afghan saffron is rated internationally as having the highest quality aroma, taste, and color. Our premium saffron threads are available in various sizes.
SAFFRON JARS
Our saffron is categorized as Super Negin, the most coveted saffron in the culinary world. Our signature glass jars of these precious saffron threads are one of our best sellers!
SAFFRON GOLDEN LATTE
Created by Mina Sahar Saffron founder Palwasha Raqib, this aromatic mix combines our saffron with organic and responsibly sourced turmeric, cinnamon, ginger, black pepper, cardamom, cloves, nutmeg, and ashwagandha.
“The Real Deal!”
★★★★★
“The aroma is magical and the contribution a pinch of these threads adds to rice, to chai, to baked goods confirms the initial impression. Best saffron ever!!!”
— Judith H, from Long Island
“Absolutely Amazing Product”
★★★★★
“The product itself completely blew my expectations out of the water, the flavor and aroma was simply bliss. Along with the hand written note absolutely made my day.”
— Taylor, Amazon buyer
“The Best Saffron Ever”
★★★★★
“Receiving this was such a pleasure. I ordered a full ounce, and what arrived was the biggest quantity of saffron I've ever seen. It's a beautiful deep color, the smell is wonderful, and it made for a perfect risotto Milanese. I'll be buying all my saffron from Mina Sahar Saffron from now on.”
— Alan, Amazon buyer
MEET OUR FARMERS IN AFGHANISTAN
BIBI GUL
Bibi Gul is pictured meticulously picking saffron flowers in the field.
Saffron is harvested by hand once a year. The female farmers arrive early in the cold Herat morning to work.
Saffron farming is extremely labor-intensive. Each purple flower has three stigmas that are carefully handpicked. It takes 75,000 flowers to make 1 pound of saffron!
BIBI SHAH
Bibi Shah is a widow who is very grateful for saffron cultivation because it’s one of the only economic opportunities for Afghan women.
Working on the saffron farm has empowered her to take care of her family financially.
She prays that Afghan saffron production will continue to grow and flourish in her community.
NISAR AHMAD JAN
Nisar oversees the saffron farm in the Injil District in Herat along with his seven brothers.
Saffron cultivation provides him a dignified way to support his family and keep his extended family together.
He no longer has to endure the hardship of laboring in Iran for six months out of the year. He can live in Afghanistan with his family all year long.
QUALITY THREADS
Mina Sahar Saffron prides itself on supplying superior premium saffron threads, categorized as Super Negin, which means “jewel” in Farsi. This longer-thread variety is the most potent. It is trimmed symmetrically to contain only a crimson ruby color, no crumbs.
“This is as good if not better than what my grandmother brings from Iran when she visits.”
— Persian-Iranian Restaurant Owner
OUR FOUNDER, PALWASHA RAQIB
“Food is love, history, and pride of heritage.”
Love of food, cooking, and her homeland inspired Palwasha to create MINA SAHAR SAFFRON.
After law school, she realized the cultivation of saffron could support clean agriculture and improve the lives of Afghan farmers, especially women who are the primary harvesters of this precious spice.
“Saffron transcends borders and creates a connection between my community and my homeland.”
“Luxury and flavor”
“I highly recommend Mina Sahar Saffron for anyone looking to add a touch of luxury and flavor to their culinary creations”
— Moroccan Chef Yasmina Ksikes
POP-UP DINNERS
Palwasha shares her love of cooking, saffron, and the joy of Afghan food through her pop-up dinners in NYC.
QUALITY & TASTE
★★★★★
“Impeccable quality and taste. Boy does it deliver!”
— Deb Rivera, loyal customer
GET IN TOUCH
I would love to hear from you! Get in touch for product inquiries and samples of our premium spices.