Latest news with #Cardamom
Mint
29-07-2025
- Business
- Mint
MCX share price edges higher after launch of Cardamom futures
India's commodity exchange, the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX), on Tuesday, 29 July 2025, launched new 'Cardamom Futures Contracts', effective from the same day, with the aim to help investors manage risk and strengthen the spice trade for small and medium-scale farmers of the nation. 'MCX announces the launch of Cardamom Futures Contracts effective 29 July 2025. This significant step is aimed at improving price discovery, ensuring better price risk management, and strengthening the spice trading ecosystem, especially for small and medium-scale farmers in South India and traders across India,' the commodity exchange informed the BSE through the filing. According to the official filing, each futures contract will comprise a training unit of 100 kilograms of cardamom. The futures contract will follow a Daily Price Limit (DPL) structure, with a 4% initial limit and a 2% price band after a 15-minute pause if the initial limit is breached. 'The contract will promote greater price transparency and prove to be an efficient risk management tool for the entire cardamom value chain,' said Adv. Sangeetha Viswanathan, Chairperson at the Spice Board of India under the Ministry of Commerce and Industries. As of 3:59 p.m. (IST), the Cardamom futures for the August 2025 contract were trading 0.31% lower at ₹ 2,864 per kilogram on the first day, compared to the closing of ₹ 2,873 per kilogram, according to MCX data. The commodity hit an intraday high of ₹ 2,935 per kilogram on Tuesday, 29 July 2025. Multi Commodity Exchange of India (MCX) shares closed 1.50% higher at ₹ 7,847 after Tuesday's stock market session, compared to ₹ 7730.80 at the previous market session. The company announced the launch of Cardamom Futures before the market opening bell on 29 July 2025. The shares of the commodity exchange have given stock market investors more than 364% returns on their investment in the last five years and over 86% returns in the last one-year period. On a year-to-date (YTD) basis, the stock has gained 24.70% in 2025 but has traded 3.69% lower in the last five stock market sessions. MCX shares hit their 52-week high level at ₹ 9,110 on 1 July 2025, while the 52-week low level was at ₹ 4,075.05 on 5 August 2024, according to the BSE data. The commodity exchange's market capitalisation (M-Cap) stands at ₹ 39,978.39 crore as of the stock market close on Tuesday, 29 July 2025. Read all stories by Anubhav Mukherjee Disclaimer: This story is for educational purposes only. The views and recommendations made above are those of individual analysts or broking companies, and not of Mint. We advise investors to check with certified experts before making any investment decisions.
Forbes
25-04-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Saffron On The Menu: How Top Chefs Use World's Most Expensive Spice
Herat saffron plants in Afghanistan Saffron, sometimes referred to as "red gold," is the most valuable spice in the world (number two is Vanilla, followed by Cardamom) and its price reflects its rarity and labor-intensive harvest. Harvested by hand from the delicate crocus flower, it takes 150,000 flowers to produce a single kilo of saffron. The top harvesters of saffron are Iran, Afghanistan, India and Spain and with prices as high as $5,000 per kilogram, it's the most profitable crop for farmers. Despite its steep price, saffron continues to be a coveted ingredient in fine dining, prized for its rich aroma, vibrant color and subtle earthy-sweet flavor. Closeup of a farmer collecting a Saffron crocus to remove the crimson stigmas called threads Not all Saffron is alike, as one of America's largest retailers of imported saffron threads, Afghan Saffron explains. As their name suggests, the company sells Afghan saffron that they've been cultivating in the desert for over 20 years. Their growing region includes the prized Herat's fertile valley, where strict, supervised and chemical-free production, guarantees 100% organic saffron. Milad Sadat, co-founder of Afghan Saffron, says that 'to achieve the best aroma and visual presentation, only the top part of the saffron stigma should be harvested by hand. Additionally, workers need to do this very gently to avoid breaking the fragile threads in the process.' An aerial glimpse of saffron workers as they advance through the rows of purple blooms in Herat, Afghanistan. The cultivation of saffron is also typically limited to just a handful of regions worldwide, with the leading producers being Iran, Afghanistan, and India's Kashmir region. As a result, it's extremely difficult for these areas to meet the global demand for saffron—further driving up its price. American and British farmers have recently started cultivating saffron but high labor costs have so far prevented this from lowering the price of high-quality saffron. Saffron latte Saffron has a truly distinctive and powerful flavor profile with a taste that is sweet, earthy and floral. Chefs and home cooks agree that just a few threads can dramatically elevate a dish. And, unlike many other spices, saffron has no real substitute. Secondly, saffron is a visual treat and looks great on the plate. In cocktails, a single strand can create a stunning visual effect; in food, a splash of saffron-infused milk or broth can completely transform the look of a dish, lending it a golden glow. And like other luxury goods, saffron's steep price tag contributes to its cosmopolitan appeal. Like caviar, lobster or abalone, saffron is a luxury ingredient that symbolises exclusivity. For many high-end restaurants and wealthy diners, it's not just a spice-it's a status symbol that belongs on any fine dining menu. Saffron bulbs Afghan Saffron has been the choice of many American Chefs and has won three stars at the International Taste Institute Awards every year since 2013. Afghan Saffron's co-founder Milad Sadat, spearheaded a transformative shift, empowering Afghan farmers to cultivate saffron instead of opium poppies. Likewise, in the UK, importer Sara Saffron is equally ardent about the quality of their product which is sourced from the Khorasan province, Iran, the home of Sara Shimi, the founder's ancestors. Both companies supply to consumers and restaurants around the world. Traditional Paella Valenciana includes the crucial ingredient saffron Paris's renowned Restaurant Guy Savoy is known for its exquisite artichoke and black truffle soup, which is enhanced by a saffron-infused Chantilly cream. The subtle floral notes of saffron beautifully complement the earthy depth of the artichoke and truffle. At El Celler de Can Roca, a three Michelin-star restaurant in Girona, Spain, the Roca brothers serve a refined langoustine dish infused with saffron and curry oil. This striking combination reflects their innovative approach to seafood, blending traditional Mediterranean ingredients with cutting-edge culinary techniques. Quique Dacosta brings his legendary paella, the classic rice dish with saffron as a crucial ingredient, to Arros QD in London. Or go to the chef's three Michelin-starred restaurant in Denia, Spain for an unforgettable fine dining experience. One of the most popular dishes at Crevette in Manhattan, New York is their delicious seafood rice with saffron, razor clams and lobster. For home cooks, Chef Gordon Ramsay has created a short YouTube video, to show how easy it is to make his bold garlic and saffron mayonnaise, the ultimate dip for fresh seafood to crispy chips. It's not just savory dishes that saffron can enhance. British chef Jamie Oliver demonstrates how to make a delightful dessert that pairs sweet pear with aromatic saffron and cardamom, creating a winning mix of flavors. Canadian TV chef Ricardo Larrivée has crafted a vibrant saffron-based cocktail, ideal for garden parties. His creative recipe blends floral gin with honey, lemon juice, dry white apple vermouth, sparkling lemon water, ice cubes and six saffron pistils.
