A VERY Close Look at Saffron

Check out this cool article in the National Geographic about herbs and spices, including a microscopic look at a saffron thread.

"The saffron plant is a species of crocus and, like many crocuses, it has an unusually long style. It is not known which species of insects pollinate the wild crocus relatives of saffron. Nor is it known why the style is full of water-soluble, colorful compounds that redden our foods, or why the style, in small doses, makes great food more delicious with a sort of pungent honey."