The world's most costly substance.

Do you know that Saffron is one of the world's most costly substances?

It featured in today's Wikepedia's home page.
The history of saffron cultivation and usage reaches back more than 3,000 years and spans many cultures, continents, and civilisations. Saffron, a spice derived from the dried stigmas of the saffron crocus, has remained among the world's most costly substances throughout history.

With its bitter taste, hay-like fragrance, and slight metallic notes, saffron has been used as a seasoning, fragrance, dye, and medicine. Saffron is native to Southwest Asia, but was first cultivated in Greece.

It is widely used in Indian sweets to enhance color and flavour. It is also cultivated in Kashmir valley.

Here is amusing history:
Cleopatra used a quarter-cup of saffron in her warm baths because of its colouring and cosmetic properties. She used it before encounters with men in belief that the saffron would make lovemaking more pleasurable.

Some belief!