Herat Saffron Wins “World’s Best Quality” Award for Tenth Consecutive Year

Brussels – The International Taste Institute in Belgium has named Herat Saffron the winner of the “Superior Taste Award” for the tenth consecutive year at the Global Taste Awards. This achievement reinforces Herat Saffron’s status as one of Afghanistan’s flagship agricultural exports known for exceptional quality.

According to the report, Herat Saffron, marketed under the brand “Herat Saffron,” competed against top producers from Iran, Spain, and Greece—leading saffron-growing nations—and received the highest scores for color strength, rich aroma, and balanced flavor. A panel of more than 250 professional chefs and food tasting experts from around the world unanimously praised its outstanding quality.

A recent study published in the scientific journal Advances in Horticultural Sciences highlighted that Herat Saffron ranks among the finest globally, outperforming competitors across multiple quality metrics. Favorable climatic conditions in Herat—cold winters, dry summers, and fertile soil—have been key to its consistent high quality.

Since the early 2000s, saffron cultivation has expanded significantly in Herat as a sustainable and profitable alternative to opium poppy farming, contributing to rural employment and long-term economic stability in the region.

Exporters and growers hope that this continued international recognition will not only boost global demand for Afghan saffron but also help promote other high-quality agricultural products from Afghanistan in international markets.