What Is Coupe Saffron?
Coupe Saffron is a high-quality, premium grade defined by one primary characteristic: it is 100% "all-red." The name "Coupe" comes from the French word "couper," meaning "to cut," which perfectly describes how this grade is produced. It consists solely of the deep red stigmas of the saffron thread, which have been meticulously cut to remove every bit of the lower yellow or white style.
In the Persian saffron grading system, Coupe is the international equivalent of "Sargol," which translates to "top of the flower."
Processing & Visual Characteristics
Understanding how Coupe is processed is key to understanding its form and value.
- Processing: To create this grade, the saffron threads are typically dried first. Then, through a process of rubbing or mechanical separation, the brittle yellow style is broken off and removed from the red stigma.
- Visual Traits: This process results in pure red saffron threads. However, because the separation often happens after drying, the threads are typically shorter and can be broken compared to the long, intact filaments of Negin or Super Negin grades. The visual hallmark of Coupe is its uniform deep red colour, but not its length or perfect form.
Quality Profile: Maximum Potency
While it may lack the visual elegance of Negin, Coupe Saffron is a powerhouse in terms of its chemical composition and performance.
- Purity & Potency: Because it contains no yellow style (which has no flavour or colour), Coupe has one of the highest concentrations of active compounds. Its purity ensures that you are paying only for the most potent part of the saffron.
- Crocin (Coloring Strength): Coupe Saffron boasts a very high Crocin level, often testing above 250 on the ISO 3632 scale. This gives it an exceptional and efficient colouring capacity, on par with Negin grades.
- Safranal (Aroma) & Picrocrocin (Flavour): The flavour and aroma are similarly robust, deep, and authentic, making it a highly effective ingredient.
In essence, Coupe Saffron offers the full flavour, aroma, and colouring power of a top-tier grade without the premium price associated with the perfect, long threads of Negin. It is the grade of choice for applications where potent performance is more important than visual presentation.
Why Coupe Saffron Is Favored by Pharmaceutical & Gourmet Buyers
he decision-making process for a pharmaceutical lab or a large-scale food manufacturer is different from that of a high-end restaurant. For these buyers, potency, purity, and price-performance are the most critical metrics. Coupe Saffron excels in all three, making it the most logical and efficient choice for their applications.
For Pharmaceutical & Nutraceutical Industries: Maximum Potency for Extraction
The wellness, supplement, and pharmaceutical industries are interested in saffron for its bioactive compounds, primarily crocin (a powerful antioxidant) and safranal (linked to mood-enhancing effects). The goal is to extract these compounds efficiently.
- Highest Concentration of Active Ingredients: Coupe saffron consists of 100% pure red stigma, with no yellow style. Since the style contains none of the desired chemical compounds, Coupe offers the highest possible concentration of crocin and safranal per gram. A buyer isn't paying for the extra weight of the non-potent style.
- Efficiency in Extraction: When producing an extract, the raw material must be as pure as possible. Using Coupe ensures a cleaner, more efficient extraction process, yielding a higher amount of the target compounds from a smaller amount of saffron. This scientific and economic efficiency is paramount.
- Data-Driven Decision: These industries buy based on the Certificate of Analysis (COA). A lab report for Coupe will show exceptional levels of crocin and safranal, often comparable to Negin grades. Since the visual appearance of long threads is irrelevant for extraction, there is no reason to pay the extra premium for Negin's perfect form.
For Gourmet Food Manufacturing: The Best Value for Flavor & Color
Gourmet food manufacturers—producers of high-end sauces, ice creams, beverages, and packaged meals—also prioritize performance and cost-effectiveness over appearance.
- Uncompromised Performance: The main purpose of saffron in manufacturing is to impart its signature color and flavor into a product. Coupe delivers this with maximum impact. Its high crocin content ensures a vibrant, natural golden color, while its high picrocrocin level provides the authentic, robust saffron flavor.
- Cost-Effectiveness at Scale: For a manufacturer producing large batches, cost control is vital. Coupe is less expensive than Negin because the labor-intensive process of keeping the threads long and perfectly intact is bypassed. This saving is passed on to the buyer. A manufacturer can achieve the exact same flavor and color profile as Negin but at a more favorable price point, improving their bottom line.
- Function Over Form: In a sauce, an ice cream, or a beverage, the long threads of Negin would be broken or blended away anyway. Therefore, paying a premium for that visual appeal offers no benefit in the final product. Coupe provides the same functional performance without the unnecessary cosmetic cost.
In Conclusion: The Professional's Choice for Performance
Coupe Saffron is the preferred grade for these data-driven industries because it represents the smartest intersection of potency and price. It delivers the maximum concentration of the valuable chemical compounds responsible for saffron's color, flavor, and health benefits, all while being more cost-effective than visually-graded Negin. It is the professional's choice for applications where a powerful, pure, and efficient performance is the ultimate priority.
Ideal Applications for Coupe Saffron
Coupe Saffron is the professional's choice for applications where the end product relies on the function of saffron—its intense color, robust flavor, and powerful aroma—rather than the form of long, decorative threads. Its all-red, high-purity composition makes it the most efficient grade for imparting these characteristics.
In Large-Scale Food Manufacturing
This is the number one industry for Coupe Saffron. For producers of gourmet packaged goods, consistency, potency, and cost-effectiveness are paramount.
- Key Applications:
- Dairy & Frozen Desserts: Perfect for creating saffron-infused ice cream, gelato, and yogurt, where the goal is to achieve a uniform, vibrant golden color and a deep, authentic flavor throughout the product.
- Beverages: Ideal for large-batch production of saffron syrups, teas, and specialty drinks. Coupe dissolves and infuses efficiently, delivering maximum flavor and color.
- Sauces, Soups, and Seasoning Blends: In these applications, the saffron is blended, so thread length is irrelevant. Coupe provides the required saffron profile with excellent cost-performance.
- Strategic Advantage: Manufacturers choose Coupe because it provides the best price-to-potency ratio. They get the full impact of a top-tier saffron without paying the premium for the aesthetic of long threads, which would be lost in the production process anyway.
In Pharmaceutical & Nutraceutical Formulation
The wellness and pharmaceutical industries are driven by data and efficacy. They need the highest concentration of saffron's bioactive compounds, like crocin and safranal.
- Key Applications:
- Dietary Supplements: Used to create capsules and tablets focused on mood support, eye health, and antioxidant benefits.
- Herbal Tinctures & Extracts: The ideal raw material for creating potent liquid extracts, as its purity leads to a cleaner, more efficient extraction process.
- Cosmetics: Formulating serums, creams, and masks that leverage saffron's antioxidant properties.
- Strategic Advantage: Coupe offers the highest concentration of the desired chemical compounds per gram because it contains no "filler" from the yellow style. This makes it the most scientifically sound and economically efficient choice for creating products where proven potency is the main selling point.
In Professional Kitchens (Specific Applications)
While chefs often prefer Negin for garnishing, they turn to Coupe for high-volume prep work where flavor and color infusion are the goals.
- Key Applications:
- Creating Saffron Water/Broth: For busy kitchens that need a large amount of saffron-infused liquid on hand as a base for multiple dishes, Coupe is perfect.
- Baking: When saffron is ground and added to dough for cakes and breads, the initial length of the thread is unimportant.
- Large Batch Cooking: For large catering events where hundreds of portions of a saffron-infused dish are being prepared, Coupe provides the necessary performance with better cost control.
In Conclusion: The Grade for Pure Performance
The ideal application for Coupe Saffron is any situation where the ultimate goal is to efficiently extract its powerful color, flavor, and chemical properties. It is the smartest choice for manufacturers, formulators, and chefs who value data-driven performance and cost-effectiveness over visual presentation.$
Coupe Saffron Specifications
Coupe Saffron (also known as Sargol) is a premium, all-red grade prized for its high potency and cost-effectiveness. It is rigorously tested and certified to meet and exceed the ISO 3632 Category I standard, the highest international quality classification. The specifications below detail the verifiable characteristics that make Coupe the ideal choice for applications where performance is the top priority.
1. Physical Specifications
These attributes define the appearance and purity of Coupe Saffron threads.
- Appearance: Composed entirely of saffron stigmas. Due to the post-drying trimming process, threads are typically shorter and may be broken compared to Negin grades.
- Color: A deep and uniform crimson red.
- Grade: Coupe / Sargol (Certified ISO 3632 Category I)
- Form: Filaments (Threads)
- Trimming: "All-Red." 100% free of any yellow or white style, ensuring maximum purity and potency.
- Purity: Guaranteed to be free of crumbs, floral waste, and any foreign matter.
2. Chemical & Quality Specifications (Based on ISO 3632-2)
These scientific measurements provide objective data on the saffron's coloring strength, flavor, and aroma, highlighting its high-performance nature.
Crocin (Coloring Strength): > 250
Exceptional Potency: A very high Crocin level guarantees a powerful and efficient color release, making it ideal for manufacturing where achieving a vibrant, natural color with a minimal amount of product is crucial.
Picrocrocin (Flavor Strength): > 90
Authentic & Strong Flavor: This ensures the full, robust, and characteristically bitter flavor profile of genuine saffron, providing a consistent and authentic taste for any formulation or recipe.
Safranal (Aroma Strength: > 30
Rich & Fresh Aroma: A strong Safranal reading is a key indicator of a fresh, well-preserved product, delivering the potent floral and earthy aroma essential for high-quality saffron.
Moisture Content: < 8%
Maximum Stability & Shelf Life: A low moisture content is vital for preventing microbial degradation, protecting the saffron's active compounds, and ensuring a long, stable shelf life for your inventory.
Conclusion: A Guarantee of Pure Performance
These specifications serve as our commitment to quality and transparency. When you purchase Coupe Saffron from Agroota, you are investing in a product with scientifically verified high levels of color, flavor, and aroma, free from any non-potent parts of the plant. This ensures you receive a pure, consistent, and high-performing ingredient perfectly suited for applications where efficiency and potency are the primary measures of value.
Wholesale Pricing & Minimum Order Quantities
For wholesale buyers, especially in manufacturing and pharmaceuticals, a clear understanding of pricing and order quantities is essential for accurate budgeting and inventory management. Coupe Saffron is specifically valued for its excellent price-to-potency ratio, and our wholesale structure is designed to maximize that value for our partners.
At Agroota, we structure our pricing to be transparent and competitive, reflecting the high-potency, all-red quality of our Coupe Saffron. This grade is the preferred choice for industrial and gourmet manufacturing clients who prioritize performance and cost-effectiveness. Our pricing model offers value and encourages long-term partnerships through volume-based incentives.
Wholesale Pricing (per Kilogram)
As of Q3 2025, the market for high-potency saffron grades remains strong and stable. The pricing for Coupe Saffron reflects its status as a pure, powerful ingredient without the additional labor costs associated with the visually perfect Negin grades. All prices are provided in USD and are based on the total order volume.
- Standard Wholesale (1 kg - 9.9 kg):
- Price: Approximately $2,200 - $2,500 USD per kg
- Best for: Gourmet food manufacturers, pharmaceutical labs, and cosmetic companies who require a highly potent, pure ingredient and need consistency for their production runs.
- Volume Wholesale (10 kg - 49.9 kg):
- Price: Approximately $2,000 - $2,300 USD per kg
- Best for: Larger-scale manufacturers and brands with established production lines who can benefit from significant cost savings on bulk purchases.
- Major Partner Pricing (50 kg+):
- Price: Please contact our wholesale team for a custom, confidential quote.
- Best for: Large industrial manufacturers, international distributors, and major brands with high-volume, regular procurement needs. We offer our most competitive, tailored pricing at this tier to support large-scale operations.
Please be aware that these prices are indicative and can be influenced by harvest outcomes, global demand, and currency fluctuations. We will provide a formal, fixed-price quote upon your inquiry.
Minimum Order Quantities (MOQs)
Our MOQs are structured to accommodate businesses of various sizes while maintaining the efficiencies of wholesale trade.
- Our Standard Wholesale MOQ for Coupe Saffron is 1 kilogram (1,000 grams).
- Why 1 kg? This quantity ensures we can offer genuine wholesale pricing. It is a substantial enough amount for manufacturers to conduct extensive product development and production trials, ensuring it meets their formulation needs perfectly.
- Sample Orders: We understand the importance of quality verification. For new partners wishing to test our Coupe Saffron's exceptional potency before committing to a larger order, we are happy to provide smaller sample quantities (e.g., 25-50 grams). Please contact our team to arrange a sample shipment.
In Conclusion: The Smart Choice for Industrial Quality
Our pricing and MOQ structure for Coupe Saffron is designed to provide maximum value and accessibility for businesses where performance is paramount. We invite you to contact our wholesale team to discuss your specific requirements, request a sample, and receive a detailed proposal that will help you leverage the power and efficiency of Coupe Saffron in your products.
Quality Assurance: Lab Reports & Certifications for Coupe Saffron
When you purchase Coupe Saffron, you are investing in pure potency. The value lies in its high concentration of active compounds, free from the non-potent parts of the saffron thread. At Agroota, we provide comprehensive, third-party documentation to guarantee this quality, ensuring every batch meets and exceeds the highest international standards.
The Global Benchmark: ISO 3632 Certification
The cornerstone of saffron quality assurance is ISO 3632. This is the single most important international standard, providing a scientific method for grading saffron based on its chemical composition.
- What it Certifies: An ISO 3632 certification verifies that the saffron has been lab-tested for its key quality markers and classifies it into one of three categories. Category I is the highest possible grade.
- For Coupe Saffron: Demanding an ISO 3632 Category I certification is your non-negotiable first step. It confirms that the saffron has exceptional coloring strength, flavor, and aroma, and meets strict purity standards. Any reputable supplier must be able to provide this certification.
In Conclusion: Your Guarantee of Purity and Power
For industries where performance, purity, and potency are the primary measures of quality, the lab report is everything. An ISO 3632 certification and a detailed Certificate of Analysis provide the empirical evidence that you are purchasing a product that is not only authentic but also optimized for efficiency and performance. At Agroota, we provide this complete documentation with every wholesale order of Coupe Saffron, ensuring you can invest with absolute confidence in the scientific value of your purchase.
Global Shipping & Export Logistics for Coupe Saffron
Our commitment at Agroota is to provide a seamless, end-to-end logistics solution for our wholesale partners. We handle the complexities of international trade, from expert packaging to customs compliance, so you can focus on your business.
1. Packaging: Engineered for Preservation
Coupe Saffron is prized for its high concentration of active compounds. Our packaging protocol is scientifically designed to protect this potency.
- Primary Containers: Your bulk Coupe Saffron is professionally weighed and immediately sealed in large, food-grade, airtight containers. The primary options are large metal tins or multi-layered, vacuum-sealed foil pouches, both of which provide a 100% barrier against light, air, and moisture—the key elements that degrade saffron's quality.
- Secondary Packaging: These primary containers are then carefully packed into robust, discreet outer cartons. This ensures physical protection against impacts during transit and adds a layer of security to your valuable shipment.
2. Documentation: Ensuring Smooth Customs Clearance
Navigating international customs is the most critical step. Our logistics team is expert in preparing a comprehensive and compliant set of documents to prevent delays. Every wholesale shipment is accompanied by:
- A Commercial Invoice and Packing List.
- A Certificate of Origin to verify its authentic Persian origin.
- A detailed Certificate of Analysis (COA), providing the lab-certified data for Crocin, Safranal, and other key quality metrics according to ISO 3632 standards.
- A Phytosanitary Certificate, as required by most countries, to certify the product is free from pests and diseases.
3. Shipping Method: Prioritizing Speed and Security
To preserve freshness and minimize transit time, Express Air Freight is our standard shipping method for all international wholesale orders of Coupe Saffron.
- Trusted Courier Partnerships: We work exclusively with top-tier global carriers such as DHL, FedEx, and UPS. This gives us access to a priority global network, ensuring the fastest and most reliable service to all major markets, including the USA, EU, GCC, and Asia-Pacific.
- Why Air Freight? For a high-value, low-weight product like saffron, air freight offers the best balance of speed, security, and cost-effectiveness, ensuring your investment is not exposed to prolonged transit risks.
4. Tracking and Support: Complete Visibility
We provide our partners with complete transparency from the moment the order leaves our facility.
- Real-Time Tracking: Upon dispatch, you will immediately receive an Air Waybill (AWB) with a unique tracking number. This allows you to monitor your shipment's journey online in real-time.
- Proactive Monitoring: Our team also monitors the shipment from our end. Should any customs query or potential delay arise, we are positioned to respond swiftly and professionally to resolve it. We remain your dedicated logistics contact until the successful delivery of your order is confirmed.
In Conclusion: Your Reliable Global Logistics Partner
Agroota's logistics process is designed to be as high-quality as our saffron. We manage every detail with precision and care, so you can be confident that your supply of pure, potent Coupe Saffron will arrive safely, compliantly, and on time, ready for use in your high-performance applications.
FAQ
1. What is Coupe saffron?
Coupe saffron is the most highly trimmed Persian saffron grade: only the deep-red tips of the stigmas, no yellow style, delivering the strongest crocin‐based color and very low moisture—ideal for pharma, cosmetics, and gourmet uses.
2. Why is Coupe saffron called “ISO Grade I” saffron?
Every batch of genuine Coupe saffron exceeds ISO 3632 Grade I thresholds (crocin ≥ 250, safranal ≥ 40, picrocrocin ≥ 70), confirming its top-tier color, aroma, and flavor profile with independent lab certificates.
3. How does Coupe saffron differ from Royal Negin or Negin saffron?
Coupe is purer (only red tips), giving the highest coloring power; Royal Negin offers longer threads and stronger visual appeal for retail; Negin sits between them on price and purity.
4. What industries use Coupe saffron the most?
Pharmaceutical extractors, luxury skin-care formulators, fine-chocolate makers, and Michelin-star chefs choose Coupe for its concentrated pigments and consistent lab specs.
5. How much does Coupe saffron cost per kilogram in 2025?
EXW Iran prices average US $1 350 – $1 550 / kg for < 25 kg orders; larger volumes unlock lower tiers. Contact Agroota for today’s live quote.
6. What is the minimum order quantity (MOQ) for bulk Coupe saffron?
MOQ is 1 kg for evaluation and 5 kg for standard wholesale, with price breaks at 10 kg, 25 kg, and 100 kg.
7. Does Coupe saffron come with lab reports and certifications?
Yes—each lot ships with ISO 3632 analysis, Certificate of Origin, and optional Organic, Halal, or Kosher certificates, plus full farm-to-batch traceability.
8. Is Coupe saffron compliant with EU and FDA import standards?
Agroota’s Coupe saffron is tested for heavy metals, pesticides, and microbes, meeting EU 1881/2006 limits and FDA spice import requirements; documents are provided for customs.
9. How should bulk Coupe saffron be stored to keep its color?
Store in airtight, light-proof containers at 5 – 20 °C (41 – 68 °F) and < 60 % RH; under these conditions Coupe retains ≥ 90 % of its coloring strength for 24 months.
10. How fast can Agroota deliver Coupe saffron to Europe or the USA?
Air freight typically arrives in 3 – 7 days door-to-door, including customs clearance; express courier is available for quantities under 5 kg.