Which Spice Is the Most Expensive?

Saffron, derived from the stigmas of the Crocus sativus flower, is the world's most expensive spice by weight, typically costing between $5,000 and $10,000 per kilogram. Each crocus flower produces only three tiny stigmas, which must be carefully handpicked during a harvest window of just one to two weeks per year. It takes approximately 150,000 to 200,000 flowers to produce a single kilogram of saffron. Iran is the world's largest producer, growing about 90% of the global supply. Saffron has been used for over 3,500 years as a spice, dye, and medicine. Its distinctive flavor, golden color, and aroma come from the chemical compounds crocin, picrocrocin, and safranal.