1 pinch ≈ 0.1 g ≈ 20–30 threads. That's enough saffron for a 4-serving dish. More is rarely better — saffron in excess turns bitter.
By dish (serves 4)
- Saffron rice: 1 pinch
- Biryani: 1.5 pinches
- Paella: 1 pinch
- Risotto Milanese: 1 pinch
- Kheer/firni: 1 pinch
- Bouillabaisse: 1 pinch
- Saffron tea (1 cup): ~5 threads
Saffron in cocktails
2–3 threads per cocktail, bloomed in a teaspoon of warm syrup.
Saffron in baking
Bloom in the recipe's liquid first. 8–12 threads per loaf of bread or single layer cake.
Maximum safe culinary dose
< 1.5 g/day. Higher is medicinal territory and not recommended.