Saffron (Crocus sativus) is the dried stigmas of the saffron crocus flower. The crocuses are grown through the spring & summer for the late autumn harvest when the flowers are hand picked (mechanical harvesting would destroy them), then dried and packed. Saffron is harvested early in the morning before sunrise and then dried in hygienic lab conditions, allowing for the highest levels of both crocine and safranal.