Every lot of Aqiq saffron ships with its own Certificate of Analysis. A saffron Certificate of Analysis (COA) is the lab report that proves what is in the jar — colour, aroma, flavour, and purity — measured, not claimed.
This page shows a specimen COA and explains how to read one, so you know exactly what to demand from any supplier.
What a Saffron Certificate of Analysis Proves
A pure saffron certificate of analysis turns quality from a sales pitch into a number. It reports the three ISO 3632 compounds by spectrophotometry, plus the physical checks that reveal adulteration and moisture padding.
- Crocin — coloring strength, measured at 440 nm
- Safranal — aroma, at 330 nm
- Picrocrocin — flavour, at 257 nm
- Moisture and volatile matter — excess inflates weight and shortens shelf life
- Extraneous and floral waste — how much of the weight is not stigma
What each figure means, and the category thresholds behind them, is set out on our ISO 3632 testing page.
Specimen Certificate of Analysis
This is an illustrative specimen, not a live certificate. It shows the structure and the typical ranges of our Super Negin grade. Every shipment carries the signed COA for your actual lot, with that lot’s own measured values and date.
| Field | Specimen value |
|---|---|
| Product | Saffron — Super Negin, single-origin Herat |
| Lot code | [ASF-YYMM-000] — unique per lot |
| Harvest / test date | [per lot] |
| ISO 3632 category | I (Premium) |
| Crocin (440 nm, E1%) | 260 – 290+ |
| Safranal (330 nm, E1%) | 40 – 55 |
| Picrocrocin (257 nm, E1%) | Category I verified |
| Moisture & volatile matter | < 8% |
| Extraneous matter | ≤ 0.1% |
| Testing laboratory / method | Independent lab, ISO 3632-2 |
The grade decides the numbers. Negin, Pushal, and Sargol each carry their own ranges — see the full saffron grades and the Super Negin vs Negin comparison.
How to Read a Saffron COA
A trustworthy COA lets you reconstruct the lot without a phone call. Check these before you buy at volume:
- The lot code matches your carton — not a generic product code.
- The test date is recent — a COA from three harvests ago describes saffron you are not buying.
- All three absorbance values are present — crocin, safranal, picrocrocin, each with its wavelength.
- The issuing laboratory is named — with the ISO 3632 method referenced.
- Moisture and extraneous matter are stated — silence on these usually hides a problem.
If a COA arrives without a lot number, it is marketing collateral, not a certificate. Ask again.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a saffron Certificate of Analysis?
A lab report for a specific lot of saffron, giving the ISO 3632 crocin, safranal, and picrocrocin values with their wavelengths, plus moisture, extraneous matter, the testing laboratory, and the test date. It proves quality by measurement rather than claim.
Do you provide a COA with every order?
Yes. Every lot of Aqiq saffron ships with the signed Certificate of Analysis for that lot, and we can send it in advance for the specific lot we are quoting.
Can I get a COA before I buy?
Yes. Ask for the COA for the lot we are quoting and it is in your inbox the same week, before you commit to an order.
What crocin level should a premium saffron COA show?
For ISO 3632 Category I the crocin floor is 190. Our Super Negin typically runs 260 to 290+, near the top of the category. Always read the actual measured figure, not just the category label.
Is an ISO 3632 COA the same as being ISO 3632 certified?
No. ISO 3632 is a testing and classification standard for the product, not a company certification scheme. A COA shows a lot was tested and classified against the standard, which is exactly what matters.
Get the COA for a Real Lot
The specimen above is the template. The document that matters is the one for the lot you are buying.
Tell us the grade and volume you are evaluating, and we will send the Certificate of Analysis for a current lot, alongside a sample if you want to test it yourself.