Saffron Price Per Gram: Quick Answer
Saffron price per gram in India, in short: pure Kashmiri kesar usually costs about ₹600–900 per gram for Mongra, ₹400–600 for Lacha and ₹250–400 for lower grades in small packs (checked Nov 2026).
- Bigger packs cost less per gram
- Under ₹250 per gram for “Kashmiri” kesar: be careful
- Prices move with each harvest, so check the live price
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Saffron price per gram by grade
These are typical retail ranges for genuine Kashmiri saffron. 10 g figures are simply worked out from the per-gram range.
| Grade | What it is | 1 g | 10 g |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mongra | Deep-red tips only | ₹600–900 | ₹6,000–9,000 |
| Lacha | Red with some yellow | ₹400–600 | ₹4,000–6,000 |
| Zarda / lower | Mostly yellow, less colour | ₹250–400 | ₹2,500–4,000 |
- All ranges approximate, India retail (checked Nov 2026)
- What each grade means: Kashmiri saffron grades
For reference, I recently paid ₹720 for 1 g of kesar ordered directly from Kashmir.
Why small packs cost more per gram
A 1 g pack carries packing, testing and shipping costs on a tiny weight. Bulk buyers pay closer to the trade rate.
- A 2 g or 5 g pack is often better value than 1 g
- Only buy bigger if you will use it within a year
Why Kashmiri kesar is costly
Every thread is picked and separated by hand, and the harvest lasts only a few weeks each autumn.
- It takes 150+ flowers for 1 gram: how Kashmiri saffron is made
- A weak harvest pushes prices up that season
- Deep colour and strong aroma are what buyers pay for
Is it worth the price?
The saffron price per gram sounds high, but you use only a chutki at a time. One gram holds a few hundred threads.
- Mongra works out to a few rupees per glass of kesar doodh
- Fresh, real kesar gives more colour, so you use fewer threads
- For Diwali mithai or a wedding biryani, that small cost lifts the whole dish
Kashmiri vs imported saffron price
Iranian and Afghan saffron is usually cheaper per gram. It is real saffron, but it should not be sold as Kashmiri.
- Full origin comparison: how to buy Kashmiri saffron
How to check you are paying fairly
A few quick checks stop you overpaying or buying a fake.
- Compare price per gram, not pack price
- Match the grade to the job: Mongra for mithai, Lacha for kahwa
- Look for the GI tag, Pampore or Kashmir origin and a fresh packing date
- Test at home after buying: 7 home tests
Good-value packs to compare
I list the brands I compared, with grade and pack size, in my best saffron brands in India guide.
Saffron Price Per Gram FAQs
What is the price of 1 gram of Kashmiri kesar?
About ₹600–900 for Mongra and ₹400–600 for Lacha in small packs (checked Nov 2026).
How much is 1 g kesar? Kesar ki dibbi kitne ki aati hai?
A 1 g dibbi of genuine Kashmiri kesar is usually about ₹400–900, depending on grade (checked Nov 2026).
What is the rate of 2 g, 5 g, 10 g and 1 kg?
Roughly ₹800–1,800 for 2 g, ₹2,000–4,500 for 5 g and ₹4,000–9,000 for 10 g (checked Nov 2026). Bigger packs often cost a little less per gram. 1 kg at retail runs into several lakh rupees, and bulk trade rates vary by season.
Zafran ki keemat kya hai?
Zafran is the same as kesar or saffron. The price is the same as above: about ₹400–900 per gram for Kashmiri, depending on grade.
Is saffron more expensive than gold?
No. Per gram, gold costs many times more. Saffron is called “red gold” because it is the costliest spice, not because it beats gold.
Is it cheaper to buy saffron in India?
For Kashmiri saffron, yes. It is usually best value close to the source, especially in Pampore during the Oct–Dec harvest. Imported saffron may be cheaper elsewhere.
Why is a big pack cheaper per gram?
Small packs carry packing, testing and shipping costs on a tiny weight. Bigger packs spread that cost.
Is cheap Kashmiri saffron real?
Under about ₹250 per gram, it is often old, mixed, imported saffron sold as Kashmiri, or dyed. Check the label and test it.
Which grade is best value?
Lacha for everyday kahwa, chai and milk. Mongra for mithai, special dishes and gifting.
Prices are indicative ranges (checked Nov 2026) and change by season. Always confirm the live price before you buy.
