How do you tell real saffron from fake in Moroccan markets?

To spot real saffron, look for whole deep-red threads with a trumpet-shaped flare at one tip, a strong honey-and-hay aroma, and a price that reflects its value — genuine saffron is expensive, so a big bag sold cheaply is almost certainly fake or bulked out. Real saffron is never a bargain.

A simple test: drop a few threads in warm water and genuine saffron releases its golden-yellow colour slowly, over minutes, while the threads stay red; dyed imposters (often safflower or coloured corn silk) bleed red or orange instantly and the water turns quickly. Powdered saffron is easiest to fake, so buy threads.

Buy from a trusted cooperative or a serious spice merchant rather than a market stall pushing "special price" saffron. Taliouine, in the south, is Morocco’s saffron capital and a reliable source if your route passes through.