✈️ From Mashhad Airport to the plains of Nishapur
In every strand of saffron we present in Knoz Balqees, there is a story of toil, land, and passion...
It begins with the dawn, from the mountainous plains of Nishapur, until you hold a luxurious box in your hand.
We begin our journey from Mashhad International Airport, the moment the adventure starts.
We set off by car to the villages of Nishapur and Ferdowsi, mountainous areas about 3 hours away.
Heading to Nishapur
After leaving Mashhad Airport, the road trip begins through the mountain roads that stretch between the green plains and the towering peaks.
The car drives for about 3 hours towards the villages of Nishapur and Ferdowsi, where the cold weather and fresh air invite you to reflect and prepare for the saffron picking day.
The landscapes are stunning, and tranquility fills the place, making the journey more than just a transition, but an experience that touches the soul and ignites passion with every moment.
Preparing to pick saffron
With the first rays of the sun rising on the cold morning of Nishapur, the team begins to move quietly towards the saffron fields.
The expert women are carefully distributed across the designated areas, each one picking flower by flower, with great caution to maintain the quality of the strands.
Hand-picking requires patience and focus, as each saffron strand carries natural value and an irreplaceable historical fragrance.
And here begins the story of true authenticity that we are proud to share with you in Knoz Balqees.
The start of hand-picking saffron
As we arrive at the fields, the real work begins.
The expert women are distributed among the rows with precision, each one knows where to go, and the process of gently and quietly harvesting the purple flowers begins.
The harvesting is done entirely by hand, flower by flower, with care taken to ensure the strands do not break or touch the dirt.
The view there is enchanting — thousands of flowers spread on the ground, and everyone moves as if they are one team that knows their work well.
In this moment, you feel the greatness of the plant and the value of every saffron strand — because you have seen the effort with your own eyes.
🧺 Sorting saffron and determining its quality
After we finish harvesting, we return the fresh flowers to a designated place for manual sorting.
We sit together on traditional mats, and start to carefully open each flower, extracting the red strands and separating them from the rest of the flower parts.
Here begins the process of classifying saffron by quality, and we sort the strands into three grades:
Super Naqeen: The longest and most abundant strands, with a deep color and strong aroma — this type is rare and highly valued.
Naqeen: Excellent and pure strands, ideal for luxurious daily use.
Abu Shaiba: Saffron from the entire flower — cheaper, but still natural and pure.
This sorting is done 100% by hand, and each batch is stored separately with a date, source, and notes written on it.
The scent of saffron fills the place
As soon as we start spreading the saffron after sorting, you feel the whole place has changed...
The scent of saffron precedes you, a heavy natural fragrance that envelops the place and makes everyone stop for a moment and pay attention.
We spread the strands on a white cotton cloth, and carefully lay them out in an open and clean space with gentle ventilation.
We don't expose it to strong sunlight, nor do we leave it in humidity — there must be balance, because any small mistake harms the quality.
Some special batches are dried using a precise thermal device, where we set the temperature to the lowest level and monitor the color and humidity every few hours.
This stage requires patience and attention, because every strand of saffron has flavor, effort, and money... and we won't accept losing any of it.
Every saffron strand in my hand means a whole day of effort and precision. This is the touch of craftsmanship that distinguishes our products.
From a young age, she learns to love the land and care for the plants, sharing with us in the saffron harvest with all innocence and love.
You learn patience and precision, and you know that every saffron strand carries a story of hard work and great effort, and you are proud to be part of this great heritage.
🌿 The moment of inhaling the fragrance of fresh saffron, the toil of the earth and the people is embodied in this unique scent.
After we finish harvesting and sorting, a new journey begins in a quiet place away from the hustle and bustle of the day...
A small rural house under the shadows of night, where the saffron enjoys sleep between our hands, covered by the calm of the night and the coolness of the air, surrounded by care and attention.
As if we are giving it a chance to breathe and rest, preserving its deep flavor and unique aroma, so it reaches you in the best possible quality.
🌿 Sorting stage: the precision of hand and the sensitivity of the eye
After we wake up, we gather the saffron and start working on sorting it.
Sorting is not just arranging — it is an art that requires a keen eye and great patience.
We start by opening each flower one by one, separating the precious red strands from the rest of the flower parts.
We examine each strand: Is its color deep? Is its length appropriate? Is it clean and free of any impurities?
We classify the strands according to their quality into different grades, and prepare them for the next stage.
Packing saffron in bags: the final protection step
After we finish all stages of sorting and drying, we start manually packing the saffron into special bags designed to preserve its flavor and quality.
We wear gloves and use precise tweezers to avoid damaging the delicate strands.
The bags are tightly sealed and made of materials that protect the saffron from moisture and air, so it reaches you with the same flavor and color you bought from us.
This is the final step in our journey, but it is the most important — because we want you to receive a complete, pure, and fresh product.
The end of the journey: from the land of Nishapur to your hands
This is the story of every saffron strand from the fields of Nishapur, a story of effort, passion, and a commitment to quality.
At Knoz Balqees, we do not consider saffron just a product, but a heritage we cherish, and we present it to you with complete honesty and purity.
Thank you for your trust in us, and rest assured that every box that reaches you carries with it a story of its origins from the earth, and the details of our endless manual work.
Royal Saffron
These luxurious red strands are from the royal saffron, the finest types of saffron that we carefully select from the fields of Nishapur.
With its rich color and fragrant aroma, it reflects a story of manual labor, patience, and great attention to detail.
Each strand of the royal saffron represents the pinnacle of quality and luxury that we offer at Knoz Balqees, delivering you an unforgettable taste and aroma experience.
🌿 Abu Shal Saffron – Nature and Authenticity
Abu Shal saffron is the type that retains the complete shape of the flower, with natural and fresh saffron strands.
This type is ideal for those who love the natural taste and original shape of saffron without sorting or cutting.
It has multiple uses in cooking, weddings, and traditions, and is characterized by an affordable price and reliable quality.
At Knoz Balqees, we are keen to select the best Abu Shal directly from the fields, to ensure the flavor and aroma of real saffron.
🌸 Saffron with the mortar: A touch of authenticity and craftsmanship
In this picture, you see our premium saffron inside an elegant box, next to the traditional mortar used for grinding saffron manually.
This mortar is a symbol of craftsmanship and attention to the finest details, as it ensures you grind the saffron in a way that preserves its aroma and nutritional value.
At Knoz Balqees, we believe that the saffron experience is not complete without the handmade touch, which gives every dish a unique flavor and high quality.
From the green land of Nishapur, where the story of every flower begins, to every stage of harvesting, sorting, drying, and packaging,
At Knoz Balqees, we live this journey in all its details, honoring saffron and preserving its quality and authenticity.
Each strand of our saffron carries with it a story of toil, passion, and authenticity, a story we proudly tell to anyone seeking excellence and honesty in the product.
We believe that saffron is not just a spice, but a cultural and natural heritage that deserves to be treated with the highest standards of quality and craftsmanship.
Thank you for your trust in Knoz Balqees, and we hope you enjoy a unique experience with every use of our products, where the earth meets the hand and spirit in an unforgettable aroma.
