Of the 300 tons of saffron harvested each year, about 90 percent is grown in Iran, but the world’s finest—and most expensive—saffron comes from the Indian state of Kashmir.

TORBAT HEYDARIYEH, Iran (AP) It s a brilliant patchwork of color. The women open the purple petals of thousands of crocus flowers and, from each one, separate out three deep crimson threads that are ...

Even so, the Afghan saffron industry has grown and is establishing a reputation for quality in a market still dominated by neighbouring Iran, which accounts for almost 90 percent of global production.