Best Watches Brands

Watch can be one of the important items for men to appreciate the value of time. Even though some luxury watches can be too expensive for everyone, these watches actually worth for its price. Luxury watches usually are handmade and only available in small quantities. They are durable, made from high quality items and they also considered as “piece of art” that will increase its value by time. Having one of these luxury watches indicate someone success at the same time their determination in his careers.

In recent years more and more luxury watch makers came out with high quality standards for watches. Luxury watches not necessary means it must be expensive by using expensive materials such as gold, platinum and diamonds. To be truly luxurious watches it has to bear special quality for watch that acceptable by watches lovers. Here are some examples of renowned luxury watches - you might have few more choices of yours.

TAG Heuer

Jaeger- LeCoultre

Ulysse Nardin

Girard-Perregaux

Audemars Piguet

Vacheron Constantin

Rolex

Blancpain Le Brassus

Patek Philippe & Co.

Cartier

We admires watches since they are one of mechanical marvels. Its constructions need careful planning, calculations, concentrations, knowledge of materials and some of these watches also have many other functions such as moon indicator and sky chart. As we know, we can get digital watches with more functionality yet it still incomparable to luxury watches as it also piece of art. 

More Interesting Things About Saffron

Saffron, delicate plan with higher demand and usage.

It’s not only the highest price of saffron that drive me to find out more about saffron but actually the important role of this unique spices sage throughout human histories. While its important roles will never get lesser, many are start to find out ways to grow them widely even plant it for their own usage.

Spices are usually use only for cooking and some of them also use in medicines and perfume making. Saffron had been used across all of the usage with many other benefits, make it one of the most important spices to many cultures. Here, let see some of the facts about saffron that shared through other website at finedininglover.com

It takes 150 flowers to produce 1 gram of saffron.

Asia

The plant originally came from Asian countries where it is still mainly produced: Iran alone accounts for 90 per cent of the total quantity harvested worldwide. Saffron planted widely in Asia even though it was said it originated from island of Crete.

Bitter

To remove its bitter aftertaste, here is a chef’s tip: press the threads between two aluminium sheets before use. Well, that something not all of us aware of. So this is something that we really need to know to ensure our saffron dishes are palatable.

Curry

Together with turmeric, coriander, cumin, chilli pepper and other spices, it is one of the star ingredients in this Indian spice mix of worldwide fame. The other reason why it flourishing in Asia is the wide usage of spices in curry as they used as many spices that young generation not even know its name anymore.

Dishes

Among the most well-known dishes containing saffron, French bouillabaisse, pilaf and Asian biryani, Spanish paella and, last but not least, saffron cake from Britain are all experiences not to be missed. Instead saffron is easy to use with any dishes by simply added it to any cooking (you will master it very fast with some practices).

Saffron cake from Britain.

Saffron tea, another way to enjoy saffron.

Saffron also used in soap.

Expensive

It takes 80,000 flowers to produce a pound of saffron (453 grams), with a cost in the range of 600 to 2,000 dollars (a pound), prices that make saffron the most expensive spice in the world Flower Saffron stigmas were gathered when the violet-blue flowers open and every flower produces 3, each one of which is about 25-30 millimetres long.

The limited production of saffron makes its price so expensive. In fact the farmer or the workers in saffron production not even making a good life. There is something to do in order to make sure this spice to be available to more with reasonable price by involving more technologies in its production.

Greece

Some writers claim, however, that it comes from Greece, where it was found for the first time on the Island of Crete during the bronze-age.

Over cultivation can change how some species behave. One of the sign is the incapable to reproduce sexually even though it’s flower producing plant (angiosperm). No one exactly know for how long saffron had been cultivated by human.

Harvest

Harvest time is autumn, and the process must be carried out by hand, usually by specialized pickers, almost always women, who detach the 3 stigmas one by one.

The real reason why saffron become so expensive. It’s like the real output is only 0.0001 percent from all the hard works. The only thing that make the production possible is the cheap labour. If there’s no changes soon, it will become more scarce and more manipulation of its market.

Indian flag

The 3-coloured Indian flag is saffron (to represent Hindus), white (for peace) and green (for growth).

Something interesting to know on how important is saffron in some cultures. It’s not only to India, some other cultures shows their respect in different ways.

Jingle§

In the hit song by Donovan entitled "Mellow yellow" the most well-known jingle that everyone sings under their breath is dedicated to this spice: "I'm just mad about Saffron, Saffron's mad about me"

Something we all should find out! Perhaps there are many other art works related to how important is saffron into someone else lives.

Kashmir

Among the varieties hardest to find on the market is the saffron coming from the Indo-Pakistani area of Kashmir. Here they produce the darkest variety in the world which tends towards a purple-brown colour, called Mongra or Lacha.

Another important thing to remember. Saffron is produced by plants. Many factors will affects the quality of saffron according to its geographical planting areas. Not two saffron from different areas have same qualities.

La Mancha

During harvesting, on the Spanish plain of La Mancha it is customary to burn some stigmas on a low fire to diffuse the spicy aroma of saffron in the air.

Saffron not only used for its taste and colouring property but also as incense to improve moods and also as an offering to the long lost ancestors (or spirits).

Make up

Owing to its colouring properties, in ancient times it was used as a cosmetic, as well as for dyeing fabric and leather.

Nuremberg

In the Middle-Ages in Nuremberg, whoever adulterated saffron with the addition of less precious ingredients, was burnt alive.

There’s another code that practiced in Europe Middle-age that known as Safranschou code. There must be many other undocumented practice in order to keep the adulteration of saffron in check. It also shows how important it is to human societies throughout the world.

Opium

To combat drug trafficking, in Afghanistan a project has been set up to replace illegal opium poppy plantations with saffron.

Good moves in order to increase income for farmers. Changing the source of income to more valuable that give more positive result not only for the farmers but also to the saffron market.

Properties

A natural medicinal, it has been used since time immemorial for its antibacterial and antiviral properties, and is excellent for treating stomach-ache, coughs and bronchitis.

While more studies to be carried out, the usage of saffron as remedies had been long in practiced for various purposes.

Qualities

There are international norms (ISO) which define its qualities, dividing saffron into 4 different categories according to its colour, aroma and taste.

The standardization of quality is important even though the qualities of saffron varies by areas it’s produced. These standards will keep some ranges ton ensure the acceptable quality and to control their market values.

Risotto

The most famous dish in the world is saffron risotto, using stock made from bowling fowl, which comes from the Italian city of Milan and is known worldwide.

One of example of popular dish using saffron as one of its ingredients. There are many other dishes that using saffron as one of its important ingredients – even though it’s only used small amount of it.

Sunrise

The stigmas of Crocus sativum (the Latin name for saffron) are only picked at dawn, before its flowers open, in order to preserve its aroma and properties.

Part of the reasons why handling saffron production process is so delicate. Perhaps many other smaller things that only known by the farmers in order to produce good quality of saffron.

Taster

On a par with sommeliers and cheese tasters, saffron too has its specialists, who decree which varieties are the best.

It’s good to know there are some experts in this area for saffron. Without an expert, the quality of saffron might be decreases without anyone noticing it.

Unusual habits

The main ingredient of magic potions in ancient times, it used to be sprinkled between the sheets and brewed in tea to make a man fall in love or to dispel melancholic thoughts.

Something interesting to know. Well not all of us will fall to it, but sure it’s practiced in some societies.

Virgins

In the region of Oxiana, between Iran and Afghanistan, little girls only are allowed to pick saffron. They have to be virgins or under 13, or so the legend goes.

Another reason to make saffron become rarer. No one knows, how this will help with the quality. Anyway to make sure this plants taken care of during all of its production process is the good start to make sure successful production.  

Saffron aroma's and colour improve food's quality.

Saffron risotto, one of popular dishes using saffron.

May it someday more available to everyone.

Wine and spirits

It is possible to buy wines aromatized with saffron, as well as many liqueurs, comprising vodka and gin, which are renowned for their digestive properties.

Yes, saffron had been used for so many purposes, so this is not so surprising.

Xxx

From Cleopatra onwards, it is said that the aroma lingering on the skin after a hot saffron bath is enough to make any lover go mad with desire. Yellow Also named "angel hair" because of its colour, the word saffron derives from Arabic: Za'feran and da asfar, meaning yellow.

Even though it’s no longer practice today that’s something interesting to know. Maybe not all of us agreed that saffron aroma and tint are the sexiest, but still it can be part of the contributor by mix it with other ingredients in perfume making.

Zafferana Etnea, Sicily A very rare variety of saffron is produced in this tiny Italian village, while the most precious saffron in the country comes from the valleys close to the city of L’Aquila in Abruzzo

Well you know there are many other things we need to know about this expensive spices. Sure it’s wonderful that finedininglovers.com had listed some of wonderful things about saffron that we should know. Hopefully someday, saffron will be more available to others same as coffee and tea today.

Saffron The Most Expensive Spice In The World

Saffron flower with three filaments that produce saffron.

One of the most expensive spices in the world far different from any other spices come from flower known as saffron Crocus sativus, commonly known as the "saffron crocus". It’s not the whole flower can be used as the spices but only small part of it, the three stigmas that make it harder to produce. Since the demand for it too high, the saffron price can jump as high as $2,000 to $10,000 a pound. By knowing more about this spices it might help us just not knowing the right saffron but also to identify the adulteration that commonly practiced in saffron spice trade.

The saffron crocus, unknown in the wild perhaps by the result of long cultivation by human and probably descend of from Crocus cartwrightianus, native to Greece and Crete (that’s where saffron was thought came from). Since saffron is incapable to reproduce sexually as any other flowering plants – all propagation is done by vegetative multiplication via manual "divide-and-set" of a starter clone or by interspecific hybridisation.

Close up of Saffron flower.

Dried filaments (saffron)

Besides its popularity, saffron had been used since millennial ago with the exact date unknown, among the evidence is the mural, the "Saffron Gatherer", illustrating the gathering of crocuses from the ancient Crete in Greece. The mural must have been painted long after the first usage of the saffron and perhaps we need to see where the saffron is mostly produce; Iran.

Iran is the most important producer of saffron by producing about 90 - 93% of the world supply. In 2014 250 t (250,000 kg) of saffron were produced worldwide. The other countries that produce saffron includes Spain, Greece, Morocco, India, Afghan, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Australia, China, Egypt,  parts of England, France, Israel, Mexico, New Zealand, Sweden (Gotland), Turkey (mainly around the town of Safranbolu), the United States (California and Pennsylvania), and Central Africa.

Harvesting flowers in Iran.

The shop selling saffron in Iran

The reasons for its overpriced mainly caused by many of the delicate cares and works all along the producing works involved. The flower itself not easy to taken care of, while blooms for one week of the year, produces only three stamens which must be picked by the hand and dried. It takes 150 flowers to produce a single gram of saffron.

Saffron widely used for its aroma that will enhance many dishes throughout the world. It also give beautiful luminous yellow-orange to foods. Saffron is widely used in Persian, Indian, European, and Arab cuisines. Some of the dishes are jewelled rice and khoresh of Iran, Milanese risotto of Italy, the paella of Spain, the bouillabaisse of France, to the biryani and many other dishes. It also use as tea, incense and in perfume.

While the saffron price is too high, there are an extensive adulteration in saffron market. The adulteration had been practiced since long ago, and continues until modern days. Adulteration was first documented in Europe's Middle Ages, when those found selling adulterated saffron were executed under the Safranschou code. Among substances used for adulteration of saffron includes beetroot, pomegranate fibres, red-dyed silk fibres, or the saffron crocus's tasteless and odourless yellow stamens. There are many other substances used for adulteration of saffron to manipulate the price and get easy profit.

There are few ways to avoid from buying counterfeited saffron, especially when you are not the regular user of saffron. There are few things to remember before buying saffron especially from unknown supplier;

i) Avoid buying ground saffron as it is hard to detect the ingenuity of the saffron. The other reason is, it will loses its flavour.

ii) Saffron will turn hot water bright yellow few minutes of soaking, not orange.

iii) Saffron will always be expensive, so be careful with cheaper deals.

iv) The threads of saffron are fine and even in size, with a thin yellow tendril on one end and a trumpet-like flute on the other. The yellow part never mix with the red part.

Try avoid buying from online if possible and always be cautious when buying for saffron as it is expensive and people will cheat you in many ways.

There are many usage of saffron even though it is known more as culinary spices. The high demand of it making its cultivation become very important. Somehow somewhere there always be someone trying to produce it in larger quantity in order to get more profit (not necessarily in bad ways) since it has higher value in price. Sure it is important in order to curb manipulation, fraud, adulteration and many other negative effects from high demand.

Illegal Cheese, Casu Marzu

Casu Marzu another type of cheese.

We all love excessive cheese on our Pizza and more cheese on our burgers. As there are too many cheeses around, and some of them are too exotic it’s either you never heard of it, or it’s only available on the black market. As there are too many exotic foods available, so there’re types of cheese that included in this class - one of them is Casu Marzu.

Casu Marzu is a traditional Sardinian sheep milk cheese with live insect larvae (maggots) in it. These larvae are the important ingredient that changes the pecorino cheese to casu marzu. Mature pecorino cheeses are leaving outside with part of their rind removed to allow the cheese fly (Piophila casei) to lay their eggs. The cheese will be the place where all the flies larvae growing up by consuming the cheese. The process will take around few months by leaving the cheeses with flies’ eggs on it to the stage where the acid from the maggots’ digestive system breaks down the cheese’s fats. The final result will be soft texture cheese by the time when it’s ready for consumption – and where thousands of larvae are still alive inside it. Yes, it considered unsafe to eat, when the maggots inside it died!

The making process.

Close look of the living maggots inside it.

If you’re brave enough to try casu marzu there are two important things to put in mind. Frist casu marzu full of living maggots in it that can caused some health problems – as you need to make sure no living maggots get into your intestine as they can live inside it. Second it’s considered illegal so you can only get it from the black market! Well, there are too risky to try this exotic cheese.

Anyway casu marzu is not one of the kind! There are many other options of exotic cheeses out there if you looking for compatible type of cheeses. Below are some other options if you want to try all of the similar types;

• Cacie' Punt (formaggio punto) in Molise
• Casgiu merzu in Corsica
• Casu du quagghiu in Calabria
• Gorgonzola co-i grilli in Liguria
• Frmag punt in Apulia
• Furmai nis (formaggio Nisso) in Emilia Romagna
• Marcetto or cace fraceche in Abruzzo
• Salterello in Friuli Venezia Giulia
• bross ch'a marcia in Piemonte
• casu puntu in Salento

Cheese fly (Piophila casei).

If this type of cheeses not suitable for you, just remember it still someone else favourite, and that’s fine. We all love something that others think weird about it. Perhaps we think about taste as how we look on beauty as “beauty in the eyes of the beholder”.

Make an Extra Money by Driving Uber or Grab

Line up taxi waiting for customer.

The world of public transport has changed since the introduction of Uber and then followed by Grab. These two transportation systems that utilized the usage of new technologies making life more easer and opening chances to millions of drivers to make an extra incomes from their investment on their vehicles. The success of the system proofs that the conventional taxi need to be changed.

The introduction of Uber already steer controversial when many taxi drivers protested its usage by damaging the driver’s cars. These incidents occurred in all major cities in the world where Uber is used. Despite of the protest, Grab had been introduced showing the changes is totally inevitable.

For the drivers itself both Uber and Grab bring them new hope to earn extra cash to help them with their monthly bills includes to pay the car loan itself. The chances by the way never come easy when you are not born as driver to commute the busy city traffics. So here we are going to see what make successful Uber and Grab drivers to achieving their dreams – earn more money!

Waiting for customer should be thing in the pass.

Part Time Driver

This is the largest group of drivers both for Uber and Grab, as many tries their best to earn extra money. Drivers who spend few hours a day to drive around and bring strangers to earn extra money. Some of these drivers drive when they think it is right to go out and nothing to do in their daily schedule.

This type of drivers mostly will stop after few months while some of them will keep on continuing for longer period. Most of these drivers already have good daily jobs while some of them looking for extra cash to gain more in order to support the burden of their expenses.

Uber with its research car for driver-less car.

Full Time Driver

Full time driver are more aggressive. While some of them really find it become their daily job, while most of them return to their daily job before they became an Uber or Grab Driver. It is not easy to change the lifestyles – to be a fulltime driver as this will be the main source of income.

The full time driver need to understand that their new life will be mostly on the road with busy traffics and they also need to face different characters of their customers. Being a fulltime drivers mean more time to spend on driving instead of time for themselves (it also become their new dedicated job where they need to manage it by themselves). Without proper time management and good attitude the fulltime driver will never achieves their target and their dreams.

Tips and Tricks

Whether it is for fulltime or just for fun, driving to earn money come with disciplines, motivations, good attitudes and love for the job that you do. Still there are many things to learn in order to successfully achieving the short term and long term goals as everyday will be a new challenging day in life.

Time management – time management is very important to make sure this new commitment not changing what is really important (the daily job itself). While for those who decide to make it as a fulltime job need to speed their time as much how they spend it for their daily job – at least!

Attitudes – good attitudes toward your job. Yes, this is your job that you can control in your hands so be responsible. Shows good driving practices, make sure your car is safe, fasten your own seat belt and remind your customers too, use the phone holder if you need to use the GPS navigation, avoid too loud music, and give attention to your customers.

Motivation – be serious with your daily target whether in the form of how many hours you should drive, or how much money you should make per day. Always remember, every day is different – so do as much you can while you can.

Remember to use the phone holder to assist your driving.

Learn the tricks – use GPS, avoid congestion roads, accidents, new routes and so on with navigating apps. Most of the drivers using it, but make sure to use it effectively. Some drivers go out early to avoid traffic congestions where there’s also less drivers available. Weekend also another good time to get more customers.

Explore and enjoy – enjoy your driving, explore the edges of the city where you never went to. Driving for customer is the only opportunity for you to reach these parts. Most of the time you will discover new places and probably things that you are looking for.

Improve your skills – learn everything that helps. It might sounds funny, but learning will helps you communicate better with your customers. Broad knowledge will allow you to share many things with your customers when you need too. Sometimes it can helps you in different ways as in learning for time management and managing your income.

Uber/Grab or Conventional Taxi

There are many benefits of being Uber/Grab driver, instead of conventional taxi driver. By harnessing the technologies, this mode of transport get more customers compared the regular taxi that hanging around waiting for the customers in specific places.

Uber/Grab allows customers to book their ride with few clicks on their phone together with the payment deducted from their debit or credit cards – and it comes together with their bill sent to their email. These built in features will be an extra cost for conventional taxi driver. Usually Uber/Grab driver will get a new booked before they drop their passenger.

Customers gain more trust to the system with fix prices and no haggling on the price that already fix by the system. There’s no way for driver to add an extra cost for Grab system (as in Uber the price can be changed at the end of the journey).

Using the phone technology to booked for ride.

Download Uber for iPhone

Download Uber for Android

Download Grab for iPhone

Download Grab for Android

How to be Uber driver link

How to be Grab driver link

Fast and easy, get a taxi and drop customer almost anywhere.

Uber/Grab providing new opportunity to every car owner who decide to earn extra cash or those who are willing to do it as their fulltime job. This opportunity however not necessarily applied to every one of us – not all of us born to be a driver – especially when you cannot tolerate with fussy customers. So think it carefully before your decide to do it as your fulltime job. At least we know, there’s always an opportunity for us to earn an extra cash when you need it.