Short answer: Saffron, turmeric and safflower are three completely different plants.
- Saffron is the red stigma of the saffron flower. It has deep red threads, a strong floral aroma and gives a golden colour. It is the most expensive spice in the world.
- Turmeric (kunyit) is a root. It is a cheap yellow powder with an earthy taste, used every day in Malaysian cooking.
- Safflower (kesumba) is the petals of another plant. It is orange-red with almost no smell. In English it is also called “false saffron”, and it is sometimes sold as saffron.
Turmeric and safflower are both food plants and there is nothing wrong with them. The problem is only when they are sold under the name of saffron, at the price of saffron.
At a glance
| Saffron | Turmeric (kunyit) | Safflower (kesumba) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plant | Saffron crocus (Crocus sativus) | Curcuma longa | Carthamus tinctorius |
| Part used | The red stigmas (only 3 per flower) | The root (rhizome) | The petals (florets) |
| Looks like | Deep red threads that widen into a small trumpet shape at one end | Fresh root or yellow powder | Thin, flat orange strands, like dried petals |
| Colour in food | Golden to orange | Bright yellow | Yellow to orange |
| Smell and taste | Strong, floral and honey-like; slightly bitter | Earthy, slightly bitter and peppery | Almost no smell; mild taste |
| Price | Very expensive | Cheap | Cheap |
| Typical uses | Biryani, nasi minyak, desserts, drinks | Nasi kunyit, rendang, curry, grilled fish | Colouring food |
Turmeric (kunyit): the everyday spice of the Malaysian kitchen
Turmeric is the root of the Curcuma longa plant, and its yellow colour comes from a compound called curcumin. In Malaysia it is everywhere: nasi kunyit, rendang, curries, and the fish and chicken that are rubbed with turmeric before frying.
Can you use turmeric instead of saffron? Only for colour. Turmeric gives a yellow colour, but it doesn’t have saffron’s aroma or taste. If a dish only needs a yellow colour, like nasi kunyit, turmeric is the right choice. But for biryani, nasi minyak or desserts that need the aroma of saffron, turmeric can’t take its place. Some cooks use a little turmeric for the base colour and then pour saffron water over the rice for the aroma.
Turmeric in fake saffron: saffron powder is sometimes mixed with turmeric or paprika (NutraIngredients). This is almost impossible to spot in a powder. That is why we always say: buy threads, not powder.
Safflower (kesumba): the “false saffron”
Safflower is a thistle-like plant with orange-red petals. Its Malay name is kesumba, and in English it is called safflower or “false saffron”. Its petals have long been used to colour cloth and food such as rice, and according to the plant reference PROSEA, safflower is also used as a substitute or adulterant for true saffron (PROSEA / Pl@ntUse).
Safflower is cheap and, from a distance, looks a little like saffron. That is why it is the most common thing sold as saffron.
Note: safflower oil comes from the seeds of the same plant. It has nothing to do with saffron.
How to tell saffron from safflower
| Check | Saffron | Safflower |
|---|---|---|
| Shape | Deep red thread that widens into a trumpet shape at one end | Thin, flat, irregular petals, sometimes with yellow bits |
| Colour | Deep red | Orange to bright red |
| Smell | Strong, floral and honey-like | Very little, like dry grass |
| In cold water | Releases a golden-yellow colour slowly, and the thread stays red | The colour usually comes out faster, and the petals go limp and lose their shape |
| Price | Makes sense for the cost of producing it | If the “saffron” is far cheaper than the market, be suspicious |
Remember: the water test is only a quick screen, not proof (CulinaryLore). Real saffron mixed with some safflower may still “pass”. The only reliable way is a laboratory test. We explain all the home checks and their limits in our guide to fake or original saffron.
Which one should you use?
| If you want… | Use |
|---|---|
| Nasi kunyit, rendang, curry, or seasoning fish and chicken | Turmeric |
| Biryani, nasi minyak or saffron rice | Saffron (15–20 threads for 4 people) |
| Desserts, cakes, saffron milk or tea | Saffron |
| Just a yellow colour, at the lowest cost | Turmeric |
For the right amount of saffron for each dish, see how many threads are in 1 gram of saffron.
How to buy real saffron
- Buy threads, not powder.
- Look for full labelling: country of origin, grade, weight and company name.
- Buy from a seller with a registered company and reviews from real customers.
- Compare prices. We list the market price ranges in our guide to saffron prices in Malaysia.
Persian Signature’s Super Negin saffron comes as whole threads, contains only the red part of the stigma and is laboratory tested (ISO 3632 Category I). Read more about grades in our guide to saffron grades.
Frequently asked questions
Is turmeric (kunyit) the same as saffron?
No. Turmeric is the root of a different plant. It gives a yellow colour but not saffron’s aroma.
Is safflower (kesumba) saffron?
No. Safflower is the petals of a different plant. It is also called “false saffron” because it is sometimes sold in place of saffron.
Can I use turmeric instead of saffron in biryani?
For colour, yes, but the biryani won’t have the aroma of saffron.
Is safflower harmful?
Safflower is a food plant. The problem is that it isn’t saffron, so if you buy it as saffron, you have paid a lot for something cheap.
Is saffron powder mixed with turmeric?
Sometimes, and it is almost impossible to tell at home. Buy threads.
Why is saffron so expensive while turmeric is cheap?
Turmeric is a root that is easy to grow in large amounts. For every gram of saffron, about 150 flowers have to be picked by hand (Wikipedia).
Ready to buy? See where to buy authentic Iranian saffron in Malaysia.