If you cook dishes that call for a deep golden color and a soft floral scent, you have probably bought saffron at some point. And you may have been cheated. Saffron is the most faked spice in the pantry, and the reason is simple: it costs more per gram than silver. That makes it a target for dishonest sellers who dye cheap threads or even sawdust to look like the real thing.
The test is easy. Drop a single thread in warm water. Real saffron takes its time, releasing color slowly into the water. Dyed imitations stain the water almost instantly. The shape of the thread also gives it away. A real saffron stigma flares at one end, like a small trumpet. No two threads look exactly the same. If every piece in the jar is uniform and perfect, be suspicious.
People buy saffron for more than cooking. Researchers have looked at two compounds found in it: crocin and safranal. These are the reason saffron shows up in supplements, though usually at a much smaller dose than a recipe would use. Some studies suggest these compounds might help with mood and memory, but the evidence is still early. No one should expect a pinch of saffron in rice to change their thinking. The amounts used in food are too small. Even the supplements, while more concentrated, are far from a proven treatment.
For memory in particular, the interest comes from animal work and small human trials. Some researchers think crocin helps protect nerve cells. Others point to safranal as a substance that affects brain chemistry. But a person looking for a clear answer will not find one. The science is not settled, and no major health agency has endorsed saffron for memory loss.
Still, saffron has a long history as a spice and a dye. It is used in Persian, Indian, Spanish and Moroccan cooking. A little goes a long way, both in flavor and in color. If you buy it, buy it from a seller you trust. Do the warm water test when you get home. If the water turns yellow right away, you have been sold a fake. And if you are hoping for a memory boost from it, keep your expectations low. Saffron is a lovely spice, not a medicine.
For more on this, see more on saffron.